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. NASCAR’s three national series are now off until Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway.
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 approximately 501 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 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 at approximately 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?
Here’s how it works, via NASCAR: “The top 16 drivers following the regular-season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series advance to the postseason. It’s the top 12 drivers for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and top 10 for the Craftsman Truck Series. Like the previous elimination-style format, there are 10 Chase races for the Cup Series following a 26-race regular season. There are nine Chase races for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and seven for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Wins are now worth 55 points, which is a notable increase from the previous structure of 40 points for a win. The remaining positions pay the same points (35 for second, 34 for third, 33 for fourth, etc.) and stage points are also the same (10 points for first, nine points for second, eight points for third, etc.). The goal is to reward drivers who go for wins, not just strong points days, and ensure aggressive racing and strong team performance remain central to each weekend.”
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 and HBO Max
- 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
Get the latest NASCAR updates right here.
Posted To:Cook Out Southern 500 Denny Hamlin NASCAR Racing Ryan Blaney Ryan Preece Sports Television