NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series is the highest level of American stock car racing, run by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Over 36 races per season, teams representing Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota battle across superspeedways, intermediate ovals, short tracks, and road courses — culminating in a playoff elimination format.
History
NASCAR was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948. Its cultural and commercial heartland is the American South, where Daytona Beach, Talladega, and Darlington became mythic venues. The sport grew into a national phenomenon through the 1990s and 2000s, with manufacturers Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota dividing loyalties. The current Next Gen car debuted in 2022, homogenising platforms for closer on-track competition. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) is the reigning champion heading into 2026. The season introduced a new playoff format reverting to the Chase bracket system, and added a street race at Naval Base Coronado (San Diego). Kyle Busch, a two-time champion, passed away in May during the 2026 season — the first active full-time driver to die mid-season since Dale Earnhardt in 2001.