The Saturday night race at Daytona was the regular-season finale and set the Cup Series playoff field ahead of next week's race at Darlington. The Southern 500 next weekend will open the Round of 16, the first of three races before the first elimination.

NASCAR's 2026 Cup Series schedule represents one of the most significant realignments in recent years, introducing fresh venues while reviving historic tracks that shaped the sport's foundation. The changes promise to reshape competitive dynamics for drivers and teams while delivering new experiences for fans across the country.