The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially starts on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

Key 2026 season kickoff dates

  • Preseason exhibition (Clash-style event): Early February 2026, one week before Daytona, at a short-track style venue (Bowman Gray “Clash” style opener).
  • Daytona Speedweeks events (Duels, qualifying, undercard races): The week leading into the Daytona 500 in mid‑February 2026.
  • First points race: Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026.

Quick context and what it means

For most fans, “when does NASCAR start 2026?” really means: “When is the first points-paying Cup race?”—that’s the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026. Exhibition action will already be underway the prior week with the Clash-style opener, but the championship season standings begin counting with Daytona.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.