Is There a NASCAR Race Today? Next Cup Series Race Date, Start Time & TV Schedule | Just Jared

August 30, 2026 August 30, 2026

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Ryan Preece 2026 standing outside car — Credit: Getty

NASCAR fans looking for a Cup Series race on Sunday (August 30) will not find one on today’s television schedule.

The Cup Series concluded its regular season on Saturday night (August 29) with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Drivers now have the remainder of the weekend off before The Chase begins next Sunday (September 6) at Darlington Raceway.

Keep reading for the next NASCAR race’s date, start time, television channel and streaming information, plus the complete 2026 Chase field…

Is There a NASCAR Race Today?

No, there is not a NASCAR Cup Series race scheduled for Sunday, August 30.

There also are no live races from NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or Craftsman Truck Series scheduled today.

The Cup Series raced Saturday night (August 29) at Daytona rather than in its usual Sunday time slot. The Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series return during Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway, while the Craftsman Truck Series is off until September 17 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

When Is the Next NASCAR Cup Series Race?

The next Cup Series race is the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday, September 6, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.

Coverage begins at 5 p.m. ET on USA Network.

The Southern 500 consists of 367 laps covering 501.32 miles around Darlington’s 1.366-mile oval. It is the first of 10 races determining the 2026 Cup Series champion.

What Channel Is the Next NASCAR Race On?

The Cook Out Southern 500 will air nationally on USA Network and stream on HBO Max.

Audio coverage will be available through MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Channel 90. USA Network’s pre-race coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by the race at 5 p.m. ET and post-race coverage scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, according to NASCAR’s official television schedule.

How to Watch NASCAR Without Cable

Fans without cable can stream USA Network through participating live TV services, including DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV.

Eligible new customers may be able to receive free trials, though availability and terms vary by service.

HBO Max subscribers can stream the race directly through the platform.

Who Won the NASCAR Race Last Night?

Ryan Preece won Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, scoring his first points-paying Cup Series victory and claiming the final position in The Chase.

“I’m just speechless right now,” Ryan said after the race. “Those guys, that 60 group, we’re fighters. When you put our back against the wall, we swing hard.”

What Is NASCAR’s 2026 Chase Format?

The top 16 drivers in the Cup Series standings following the 26-race regular season qualify for The Chase, which consists of the final 10 races.

The drivers’ points are reset according to their regular-season seeds, with first-place Denny Hamlin beginning with 2,100 points and a 25-point advantage over second-place Ryan Blaney.

Unlike the format used in recent seasons, there are no scheduled eliminations or automatic championship berths awarded for winning a Chase race.

All 16 eligible drivers compete throughout the 10-race stretch, and the driver with the most points after the season finale becomes the champion.

Race victories are now worth 55 points, while the points awarded for other finishing positions and stages remain unchanged. NASCAR has a complete explanation of the 2026 Chase format.

Who Qualified for the 2026 NASCAR Chase?

Here is the complete 16-driver field, listed by seed:

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Tyler Reddick
4. Ty Gibbs
5. Chase Briscoe
6. Christopher Bell
7. Kyle Larson
8. Chase Elliott
9. Joey Logano
10. Chris Buescher
11. Daniel Suárez
12. Carson Hocevar
13. William Byron
14. Bubba Wallace
15. Austin Cindric
16. Ryan Preece

NASCAR confirmed the complete field and seeding following Saturday’s regular-season finale.

Who Is on the Pole for the Southern 500?

The starting lineup has not been determined yet.

Cup Series practice and qualifying are scheduled for Saturday, September 5, at 4 p.m. ET on truTV. The results will determine the complete starting order for Sunday’s Southern 500.

What Is the Upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Schedule?

All times are Eastern.

Sept. 6: Cook Out Southern 500, Darlington Raceway — 5 p.m., USA Network
Sept. 13: Enjoy Illinois 300, World Wide Technology Raceway — 3 p.m., USA Network
Sept. 19: Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway — 7:30 p.m., USA Network
Sept. 27: Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Speedway — 3 p.m., USA Network
Oct. 4: South Point 400, Las Vegas Motor Speedway — 5:30 p.m., USA Network
Oct. 11: Bank of America 400, Charlotte Motor Speedway — 3 p.m., USA Network
Oct. 18: Freeway Insurance 500, Phoenix Raceway — 3 p.m., USA Network
Oct. 25: YellaWood 500, Talladega Superspeedway — 2 p.m., NBC
Nov. 1: Xfinity 500, Martinsville Speedway — 2 p.m., NBC
Nov. 8: NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Homestead-Miami Speedway — 3 p.m., NBC