The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season ends with the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday November 8. The four Championship-eligible drivers locked in after Martinsville (Oct 25) battle on a 1-mile oval — and the highest finisher of the four wins the 2026 Cup Series title. It airs on NBC broadcast, free with a $30 antenna in every US market.
The 2026 Cup Series Championship Race airs on NBC broadcast — free over the air with any antenna. Pre-race coverage starts at 2 PM ET; green flag at 3 PM ET. Race ends around 6 PM ET.
If you don't have an antenna: Peacock Premium ($7.99) streams the entire race live. Live-TV bundles (YouTube TV, Hulu+Live, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream) all carry NBC.
Opened: 1964 · About 30 miles west of downtown Phoenix
Layout: 1-mile low-banked oval with a distinctive dogleg in the back stretch — drivers describe it as "almost a road course in the back half." Banking only 8-11 degrees in the corners; flat in the dogleg.
Capacity: Approximately 42,000 (renovated 2018)
Championship history: Phoenix has hosted the season finale since 2020 when NASCAR moved the championship from Homestead-Miami. Past Phoenix champions: 2020 Chase Elliott · 2021 Kyle Larson · 2022 Joey Logano · 2023 Ryan Blaney · 2024 Joey Logano · 2025 [latest champ].
Why this track for the finale: 312 laps × 1 mile is a true skills test — short enough that pit strategy matters, long enough that a single mistake doesn't define the outcome. The dogleg rewards precision over horsepower. Strong veterans tend to win here.
The four drivers who lock into the Championship 4 are decided by the Round of 8 cutoff race at Martinsville on Oct 25, 2026. After three Round of 8 races (Las Vegas Oct 11 → Talladega Oct 18 → Martinsville Oct 25), the top 4 in playoff points advance.
The four Championship contenders race the same 312-lap event as the rest of the field. Their finishing positions relative to each other decide the title.
If Driver A finishes 5th, Driver B finishes 6th, Driver C finishes 7th, Driver D finishes 8th — Driver A wins the championship. Even if 14 non-Championship-4 drivers finish ahead of them, that doesn't matter for the title.
A non-Championship driver can still win the race outright. They just can't win the season championship.
If two Championship 4 drivers DNF and finish in the same position, the title goes to whoever had the most laps led across the playoffs. If still tied, falls to most playoff points in the regular season.
Sunday November 8, 2026 at Phoenix Raceway. Green flag ~3 PM ET. NBC pre-race ~2 PM ET.
NBC broadcast — free with antenna. Also Peacock Premium ($7.99). Live-TV bundles all carry NBC.
Yes. NBC broadcast is free in every US market with a $30 antenna.
Decided by the Martinsville cutoff race on October 25, 2026. Top 4 in playoff points after that race lock in.
Avondale, Arizona — about 30 miles west of downtown Phoenix. 1-mile oval with a dogleg in the back stretch. Capacity ~42,000.
4-driver finale format introduced 2014. The Championship 4 race the same event as the rest of the field. Whoever finishes highest among the four wins the title — regardless of how many non-eligible drivers finish ahead.
Green flag ~3 PM ET Sunday Nov 8 (12 PM PT local). Pre-race ~2 PM ET. Race ends ~6 PM ET.
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