NASCAR returns to the high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2026
TALLADEGA, Ala. (Aug. 20, 2025) – With championship hopes on the line, Talladega Superspeedway is once again slated to help narrow the field of championship hopefuls in high-stakes Playoff races in 2026, the track announced today as NASCAR released the full schedule for 2026. The Superspeedway will also once again play host to a heart-pounding April race weekend to give drivers an opportunity to lock in their Playoff hopes.
In addition to the schedule news announced today, earlier this week, NASCAR announced a multi-year partnership with O’Reilly Auto Parts that makes the leader in the automotive replacement parts industry the title sponsor of what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Fans will get their traditional spring trip to the track as the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will provide drivers with an early chance to drive through the drama and lock themselves into the Playoffs, April 25-26, 2026.
Then the Playoff action will thrill fans across all three NASCAR national series during the Playoffs Round of 8, October 23-25, 2026. Talladega will once again be part of the trio of races (Phoenix Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway) that will cut the field of eight title hopefuls to the Championship 4 for the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The four drivers who make it through that gauntlet will then have a chance to race for the 2026 crown at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“Talladega’s two race weekends are positioned in the schedule to provide fans with the edge-of-your-seat excitement they come to expect at the biggest and baddest track in NASCAR,” said Brian Crichton, Talladega Superspeedway President. “There’s nothing like seeing the fans on their feet watching the full field come roaring out of Turn 4 to take the green flag, knowing anyone can win at Dega and get a shot at chasing championship glory.”
Below are the dates for the 2026 NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway:
April 25-26
- Saturday, April 25 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300
- Sunday, April 26 – NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500
Oct. 23-25
- Friday, Oct. 23 – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225
- Saturday, Oct. 24 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Race
- Sunday, Oct. 25 – NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500
Earlier this year, Team Penske driver Austin Cindric punched his ticket to the NASCAR Playoffs by narrowly edging out Ryan Peece in a photo finish in the Jack Link’s 500, securing his first win at the 2.66-mile Superspeedway
Fans can still catch plenty of NASCAR Playoff action at Talladega Superspeedway in 2025, starting off on Friday, Oct. 17, with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 during the Round of 8, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 250 on Saturday, Oct. 18 in the Round of 8.
The excitement culminates on Sunday, Oct. 19, with the YellaWood 500 during the Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 at Talladega Superspeedway.
For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the upcoming NASCAR Playoffs YellaWood 500 race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.
To view the entire 2026 NASCAR schedule, visit www.nascar.com/schedule.
About Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three-and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
