The 10-race chase has arrived in the 2026 NASCAR season, with the top drivers in the Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series this year now in a tight points battle for the championship.
The NASCAR schedule this weekend takes us to Darlington Raceway for the first race of The Chase, an opener at an iconic track that could have major ramifications on who wins the championship. of note, there’s no Truck Series race this weekend.
Let’s take you right into the NASCAR schedule this weekend at Darlington. Further below is where you can find Darlington Raceway track info and information on the races on Saturday night and Sunday.
NASCAR Weekend Schedule: Darlington Raceway
All times listed for the NASCAR schedule this week are Eastern Time.
Saturday, September 6
| Series | Event | Time (ET) | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| O’Reilly Series | Practice | 1:30 PM | ESPN App |
| O’Reilly Series | Qualifying | 2:35 PM | ESPN App |
| Cup Series | Practice | 4:00 PM | truTV |
| Cup Series | Qualifying | 5:10 PM | truTV |
| O’Reilly Series | Race –Fleetio 200 | 7:30 PM | CW, ESPN App |
Sunday, September 7
| Series | Event | Time (ET) | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | Race – Cook Out Southern 500 | 5:00 PM | USA, HBO Max |
NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule this Weekend
Here is the NASCAR O’Reilly Series weekend schedule at Darlington.
| Date | Event | Time (ET) | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Practice | 1:30 PM | ESPN App |
| Saturday | Qualifying | 2:35 PM | ESPN App |
| Saturday | Race –Fleetio 200 | 7:30 PM | CW, ESPN App |
NASCAR Cup Series Schedule this Weekend
Here is the NASCAR Cup Series weekend schedule.
| Date | Event | Time (ET) | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Practice | 4:00 PM | truTV |
| Saturday | Qualifying | 5:10 PM | truTV |
| Sunday | Race – Cook Out Southern 500 | 5:00 PM | USA, HBO Max |
Darlington Raceway Track Info
Here is some quick track info on Darlington Raceway.
- Location: Darlington, South Carolina
- Track Length: 1.366 Miles
- Track Type: Intermediate
- Banking: Turns: 23-25; Backstretch: 6; Frontstretch: 6
NASCAR Race Info This Weekend
- Fleetio 200 (O’Reilly Series)
- Stage 1: 45 Laps
- Stage 2: 45 Laps (Lap 90)
- Final Stage: 57 Laps (Lap 147)
- Distance: 200.8 Miles
- Cook Out Southern 500 (Cup Series)
- Stage 1: 115 Laps
- Stage 2: 115 Laps (Lap 230)
- Final Stage: 137 Laps (Lap 367)
- Distance: 501.32 Miles
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