All About NASCAR
In this article, I will be talking about the top three series in NASCAR. In another article, I will discuss the lower series below Trucks. The three series I will focus on are the Trucks Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the Cup Series. NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. One thing all these series have in common is that they all drive cars with a 5.86L V8 engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. The cars reach speeds of around 200 MPH and all races are divided into stages, which breaks up the race.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The first series I will talk about is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Instead of stock cars, drivers race modified pickup trucks. They compete on short tracks, super-speedways, and road courses.
In 2026, the series adopted a new chase format where only the top 12 drivers qualify for the championship. The champion is decided by the driver with the most points. The Truck Series started in 1995. The four manufacturers participating are:
- Chevrolet
- Ford
- Toyota
- Ram (new in 2026)
Truck races are usually shorter than O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series events. The last champion of the Truck Series (2025) was Corey Heim. Compared to the other two series, Truck races happen less frequently. The 2026 season has a total of 25 races.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
The next series is the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, which was renamed in 2026 (formerly known as the Xfinity Series). This series races on short tracks, super-speedways, road courses, and even one street course. The series was formed in 1982, originally featuring modified late-model cars.
Some key facts about the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series:
- Total races in 2026: 33
- Age requirement: 17 to race on road courses and ovals 1.25 miles or shorter
- Top 12 drivers qualify for the chase
- Last champion (when it was the Xfinity Series): Jesse Love
- Manufacturers: Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet
Most races are similar to the Cup Series but are shorter in length.
NASCAR Cup Series
The Cup Series is the highest level in NASCAR. Drivers race almost every weekend from February to November, except for two weekends. In 2026, the series increased horsepower from 670 HP to 750 HP on road courses and tracks under 1.5 miles. They use the Next Gen car, which reaches around 200 MPH.
Key points about the Cup Series:
- Total races in 2026: 36
- Manufacturers: Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet
- Last champion: Kyle Larson
- Major event: Daytona 500 in February, the season opener
NASCAR Flags
For newcomers, here is a guide to the basic NASCAR flags:
- Green flag = Go
- Yellow flag = Slow down and line up (different from other motorsports)
- Red flag = Come to a complete stop
- White flag = One lap to go
- Checkered flag = Race is over
- Black flag = Go to pit road to talk to officials (usually indicates trouble)
- Blue flag with yellow stripe = You are being lapped; proceed with caution
- Red and yellow stripes = Road course only; indicates debris on track
NASCAR Team Members and Roles
A NASCAR team has several important members who each play a key role:
- Crew Chief: Main team leader who makes most decisions, communicates with engineers and spotters, and oversees the entire team. The job isn’t done until the car is packed up.
- Pit Crew: Usually five members performing pit stops in 10 seconds or less. Roles include tire changer, jackman, fueler, and tire carrier.
- Spotter: Communicates with the driver about lane changes, laps remaining, pit strategy, and track position. On road courses, multiple spotters are located around the track.
- Engineer: Handles the engine, working in the garage before the race. During the race, they only work on the car if it is brought back to the garage.
- Tire Analyst: Monitors tire pressure and condition before and during the race to ensure performance and safety.
That is all I have to cover about NASCAR’s main three series. My next article will discuss the lower series of NASCAR. I hope you learned a lot about NASCAR and the top three series.
Written by,
Mary Badgley
Credits
NASCAR Guide
What is the NASCAR Craftman Truck Series
NASCAR Xfinity Series Ultimate Guide
NASCAR Beginners Guide