The 2026 stock car racing calendar is set to launch this week, commencing with the Cook Out Clash event at Bowman Gray Stadium, which has been moved to February 4, 2026 (contingent upon ongoing harsh winter conditions not further affecting the venue). This upcoming NASCAR year introduces an updated playoff structure, known as The Chase, which supersedes the former multi-stage postseason system implemented in 2014. The Chase alters the criteria for assessing leading competitors during the standard season and their qualification for championship contention; the leading sixteen drivers in the championship standings following the initial 26 events will progress to the playoff bracket, irrespective of their individual win count. This system has been utilized previously and promises to add considerable excitement to the current year. Is your anticipation high for the inaugural competition?
Presented below is comprehensive information regarding the Cook Out Clash taking place at Bowman Gray Stadium, along with details on how to view all additional 2026 NASCAR Cup Series events throughout the current campaign.
Viewing Options for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium:
Event Day: February 4, 2026
Scheduled Hour: 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Venue: Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Broadcast Channels: Fox, with preliminary heats on FS2
Online Platforms: DirecTV Stream, Fox Sports Go, HBO Max (offering a driver’s perspective camera), and other services
Timing of the Cook Out Clash Event at Bowman Gray Stadium?
The Cook Out Clash competition was initially planned for Sunday, February 1. However, unfavorable weather conditions necessitated moving all track activities to Wednesday, February 4.
Which Network Features NASCAR’s Cook Out Clash?
The Cook Out Clash held at Bowman Gray Stadium serves as the inaugural NASCAR event for the year. The primary event will be broadcast live on the Fox channel. Additionally, preliminary qualification heats can be viewed on Saturday via FS1, and an alternative in-car camera perspective will be streamed live on HBO Max.
Television Broadcast Schedule for the NASCAR Cook Out Clash Weekend:
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (Adjusted from February 1 owing to snowfall)
All listed timings correspond to Eastern Time.
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1:30 PM: Practice Sessions and Qualification Rounds (FS2)
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4:30 PM: Final Opportunity Qualifying Race (FOX)
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6:00 PM: Cook Out Clash (Primary Showcase Event) — Comprising 200 laps (FOX)
Methods for Streaming NASCAR Events in 2026 Without a Cable Subscription:
To view each event of the 2026 NASCAR season in its entirety, access to a few distinct streaming platforms will be necessary. Broadcast channels such as NBC, USA Network, Fox, FS1, TNT, and truTV are accessible via services including DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV, which collectively cover most of this year’s competitions. However, a Prime Video membership will be essential for those wishing to tune into the Coca Cola 600, the Cracker Barrel 400, FireKeepers Casino 400, the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono, and the Anduril 250. Contests broadcast on NBC and USA Network will also be streamable on Peacock, while those on Fox and FS1 will be available through Fox Sports Go. Furthermore, HBO Max is slated to again provide alternative driver’s perspective camera feeds for every race this season.
Calendar for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series:
Below is a listing of the events comprising the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. (All listed times are Eastern)
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Feb. 1, 2026: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Viewable on Fox, HBO Max)
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Feb. 15, 2026: Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway (Viewable on Fox, HBO Max)
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Feb. 22, 2026: Autotrader 400, EchoPark Speedway (Viewable on Fox, HBO Max)
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March 1, 2026: DuraMax Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas (Viewable on Fox, HBO Max)
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March 8, 2026: Straight Talk Wireless 500, Phoenix Raceway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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March 15, 2026: Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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March 22, 2026: Goodyear 400, Darlington Raceway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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March 29, 2026: Cook Out 400, Martinsville Speedway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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April 12, 2026: Food City 500, Bristol Motor Speedway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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April 19, 2026: AdventHealth 400, Kansas Speedway (Viewable on Fox, HBO Max)
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April 26, 2026: Jack Link’s 500, Talladega Superspeedway (Viewable on Fox, HBO Max)
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May 3, 2026: Wurth 400 presented by Liqui Moly, Texas Motor Speedway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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May 10, 2026: Go Bowling at the Glen, Watkins Glen International (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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May 17, 2026: NASCAR All-Star Race, Dover Motor Speedway (Viewable on FS1, HBO Max)
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May 24, 2026: Coca Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway (Viewable on Prime Video, HBO Max)
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May 31, 2026: Cracker Barrel 400, Nashville Superspeedway (Viewable on Prime Video, HBO Max)
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June 7, 2026: Firekeepers Casino 400, Michigan International Speedway (Viewable on Prime Video, HBO Max)
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June 14, 2026: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono, Pocono Raceway (Viewable on Prime Video, HBO Max)
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June 21, 2026: Anduril 250, Naval Base Coronado (Viewable on Prime Video, HBO Max)
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June 28, 2026: Toyota/Save Mart 350, Sonoma Raceway (Viewable on TNT Sports, HBO Max)
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July 5, 2026: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Chicagoland, Chicagoland Speedway (Viewable on TNT Sports, HBO Max)
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July 12, 2026: Quaker State 400 Available At Walmart, EchoPark Speedway (Viewable on TNT Sports, HBO Max)
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July 19, 2026: Window World 400, North Wilkesboro Speedway (Viewable on TNT Sports, HBO Max)
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July 26, 2026: Brickyard 400, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Viewable on TNT Sports, HBO Max)
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Aug. 9, 2026: Iowa Corn 350 Powered By Ethanol, Iowa Speedway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Aug. 15, 2026: Cook Out 400, Richmond Raceway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Aug. 23, 2026: NASCAR Cup Series Race at New Hampshire, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Aug. 29, 2026: Coke Zero Sugar 400, Daytona International Speedway (Viewable on NBC, HBO Max)
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Sept. 6, 2026: Cook Out Southern 500, Darlington Raceway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Sept. 13, 2026: Enjoy Illinois 300, World Wide Technology Raceway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Sept. 19, 2026: Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Sept. 27, 2026: Hollywood Casino 400, Kansas Speedway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Oct. 4, 2026: South Point 400, Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Oct. 11, 2026: Bank of America ROVAL 400, Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Oct. 19, 2026: Freeway Insurance 500, Phoenix Raceway (Viewable on USA, HBO Max)
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Oct. 25, 2026: YellaWood 500, Talladega Superspeedway (Viewable on NBC, HBO Max)
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Nov. 1, 2026: Xfinity 500, Martinsville Speedway (Viewable on NBC, HBO Max)
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Nov. 8, 2026: NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Homestead-Miami Speedway (Viewable on NBC, HBO Max)
