The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway for the first true short track race of the 2026 season. This is one of the most unique tracks on the schedule, featuring a flat 0.526-mile paperclip layout that puts a premium on braking, track position, and long-run execution. With the new Chase format emphasizing consistency, Martinsville becomes an important early-season race where drivers can gain valuable points through strong finishes.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Martinsville Speedway for a classic short-track showdown. The half-mile paperclip is one of the most technical tracks on the schedule, requiring drivers to manage braking, tire wear, and track position over the course of a long race. With a tight racing surface and limited passing zones, Martinsville often produces aggressive racing, heavy contact, and late-race chaos.

Ty Gibbs Top 10 +125 on Fanduel Brad Keselowski Top 10 -140 on Fanduel Gibbs and Keselowski had two of the best cars in practice and should be able to easily run in the top 10 all race. I like both of these guys to run at the front and these are good value bets.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Darlington Raceway for one of the most challenging and unique tracks on the schedule. Known as “The Track Too Tough To Tame,” Darlington is a 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval that forces drivers and teams to constantly adapt throughout a run. With two completely different ends of the track, drivers must balance their setups between Turns 1-2 and Turns 3-4, often sacrificing one end to be better in the other.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Darlington Raceway for one of the most challenging races of the season. The egg-shaped 1.366-mile track tests driver discipline and car control like few others. The two ends of the track require completely different approaches, forcing drivers to compromise their setups and adapt throughout each run.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads to Darlington Raceway for one of the toughest tests these drivers will face all season. “The Track Too Tough To Tame” brings its signature egg-shaped layout to the Truck Series, creating a race that demands patience, discipline, and a strong long-run setup.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first true intermediate track of the season. The 1.5-mile tri-oval is a fast, high-grip track that rewards raw speed, clean air, and long-run handling. Las Vegas is a momentum-driven track where horsepower and aerodynamic balance play a much larger role.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a fast-paced intermediate-track showdown. The 1.5-mile layout provides a significant shift from flat tracks and drafting-style races, placing a premium on speed, aerodynamics, and long-run balance.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway for one of the most unique tracks on the schedule. The one-mile tri-oval out west in Arizona is flat, technical, and rewards precision over the course of a race. The 312 lap race will be the first of the season on a “normal” oval style NASCAR track and will be the first flat style track of the year. The races to look at when preparing for this race are the past races at Phoenix the last few seasons and tracks that compare well to

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Phoenix Raceway for a one-mile flat-track battle that demands discipline and car control. Phoenix is a technical flat style oval which often see long green flag runs and presents a major shift from the races we’ve seen to start the season.