NASCAR Cup drivers can run more lower series races in 2026
AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR Cup Series drivers can run more O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series races in 2026.
In 2026, NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three or more years of experience can run up to:
- 10 NOAPS (Xfinity) races
- 8 Truck races
Cup drivers can’t run any of the final eight races in either series:
- Regular season finale cutoff race
- Seven playoff races, including the championship race
NASCAR also specified NOAPS drivers can’t run the Truck championship race in 2026.
Before the change, NASCAR limited Cup drivers to five NOAPS races and five Truck races.
Categories
Cup, News, Truck, O'REILLY'S
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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