by Christopher Hansen, Frontstretch
NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA
The Place: Daytona International Speedway
Track Length: 2.5 Mile Asphalt Oval
The Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
The Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, 7 p.m. ET (Duel 1) and 8:45 p.m. ET (Duel 2)
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance Per Duel: 150 miles (60 Laps)
Lou Modestino sends us a report by Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie, that Gio Ruggiero, the defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year (ROTY), will get the nod to compete in a pair of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events this season for Joe Gibbs Racing.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Feb.1, 2026) – Due to the ongoing effects from this weekend’s historic winter storm and the continuing impact on the surrounding areas, the previously scheduled Feb. 3-4 organizational test for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Rockingham Speedway has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 6, and be conducted as a single-day test.
Track Enterprises will once again serve as the Official Promoter of Rockingham Speedway’s Easter Weekend NASCAR classic.
NASCAR joins FOX Latin America and accelerates its motorsports offering in Mexico
Mexico City, January 28, 2026 – FOX reaffirms its position as the undisputed leader in the sports media industry in Mexico and Latin America by announcing the addition of NASCAR to its screens starting February 1. This strategic partnership not only expands FOX’s already robust portfolio of broadcast rights, but also reflects its goal of bringing together the properties with the highest audience reach, relevance, and loyalty in the region.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 27, 2026) – Midwestern short-track star Luke Fenhaus will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut in the Feb. 14 United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
The 21-year-old racer from Wausau, Wisconsin, will drive the No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Hettinger Racing, a team that is also making its O’Reilly Series debut at Daytona.
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (January 27, 2026) – Joe Gibbs Racing, the winningest team of all-time across NASCAR’s three national series, is set for its 35th season in 2026. The organization has a variety of activations planned to celebrate the team’s history, fans, partners, and the Gibbs family.
Over the team’s history, Joe Gibbs Racing has earned 448 victories in NASCAR national series competition, including 227 NASCAR Cup Series wins and 221 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins. JGR’s pedigree includes championships with Kyle Busch, Bobby Labonte, and Tony Stewart in the Cup Series, and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championships with Busch, Ty Gibbs, Daniel Hemric, and Daniel Suárez. The team also helped launch the careers of other standout drivers like Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones and Joey Logano.
Atlantic City, NJ (January 24, 2026) — Fresh off his five career USAC National Driving Championship in 2025, Justin Grant will head back east to compete in the Indoor Auto Racing Series at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. for a second time during the Friday–Saturday NAPA Auto Parts Weekend on January 30–31.
Grant will pilot a brand-new Kevin Graver–built TQ Midget joining recent series winner Briggs Danner as a teammate. Grant, who also captured the 2025 USAC Silver Crown Championship despite suffering a broken foot in a mid-season crash, made his Indoor Series debut in 2024 driving for Lou Cicconi.
STATESVILLE, NC (January 20, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport announced today that Ross Chastain will compete in four events during the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, driving the #32 Chevrolet.
A multi-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, Chastain will bring top-level experience to the #32 entry while competing at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Circuit of The Americas, Watkins Glen International, and Sonoma Raceway. Known for his versatility and competitive driving style, Chastain has proven himself across ovals, road courses, and superspeedways at NASCAR’s highest level.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 23, 2025) – Hettinger Racing will compete fulltime in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026.
Owned by second-generation racer Chris Hettinger, the team will field the No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse and receive technical support from Ford Racing. Roush Yates Engines will be the team’s engine supplier.
