NASCAR changes minimum age rule for national series drivers
AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR announced a change to the minimum age for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026.
In 2026, the minimum age will move to 17 years old at road courses and tracks measuring 1.25 miles or less. The minimum age at tracks over 1.25 miles will still be 18 years old.
The move allows for a driver to go on a steady progression up the development ladder. Here’s the minimum age for each rung of the ladder leading up to the NASCAR Cup Series:
- 15 for ARCA on tracks 1.25 miles or less and road courses
- 16 for Trucks on tracks 1.25 miles or less and road courses
- 17 for NOAPS on tracks 1.25 miles or less and road courses
- 18 for Cup (all tracks)
The change will allow drivers to focus on one series — like ARCA or Trucks — and hone in on their craft in another and apply those newfound skills to their series of focus.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com