Latest NASCAR Cup Series News

Latest NASCAR Cup Series News

More NASCAR Cup Series News

Chicago’s Fate in NASCAR Gets a New Lifeline After Mayor’s Curveball Statement

NASCAR’s bold Chicago Street Race returns in 2025, blending urban spectacle, historic echoes, and questions about its long-term future.
July 2, 2023, Chicago, Illinois, USA: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Driver, Shane van Gisbergen races for position through

Richard Petty Rejoices in Laughs as Roger Penske Gets Taken Out of $1M Chase

Richard Petty observes NASCAR’s high-stakes In-Season Challenge, where tradition meets tension in a $1 million bracket showdown.
roger penske richard petty

HMS Star Told to ‘Watch Over His Shoulder’ as Chase Elliott’s Mastermind Goes Unnoticed

Chase Elliott quietly climbs to second in points, overshadowing teammates strong run in the race to win regular season title.
Chase Elliott, Rick Hendrick

Denny Hamlin Admits His Hand Behind Chase Elliott’s Luck, Owns Up to His Mistake

Denny Hamlin takes responsibility for sparking the Big One during the Quaker State 400 that took out 23 cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 08: Denny Hamlin ( 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Coca-Cola Toyota) looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR, M

Denny Hamlin Shrugs Off Ty Dillon’s Post-Race Jab, Reminds Fans of His One-Sided Atlanta Records

Denny Hamlin enjoyed the banter with Ty Dillon after being knocked out by the Kaulig Racing driver at EchoPark Speedway.
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 12: Denny Hamlin ( 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Clips Haircuts Toyota) talks with members of his crew dur

Ryan Blaney Drops 5-Word Honest Verdict on Racing in Atlanta After Saturday Night Wreckfest

Ryan Blaney shares his take on Atlanta's chaos-filled racing after a wild Quaker State 400 weekend as the Big One takes out half of the field.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice Nov 8, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) duri

Ryan Blaney Joins Father To Restore Beloved Family Track As He Eyes NASCAR Return

After his latest acquisition, Ryan Blaney draws a blueprint of plans to rope NASCAR back into a dirt racing venue.
Ryan Blaney Dave Blaney

Bubba Wallace’s Future in Question as Denny Hamlin Reveals 23XI’s Decision on Their Drivers

Bubba Wallace's playoff hopes fade as Denny Hamlin opens up on 23XI's expectations and long-term plans for their driver lineup.
NASCAR Cup Series Drydene 400

Is NASCAR Finally Getting Its Mojo Back Through Commercials, Branding, and Big-Name Visibility?

After many well-rounded efforts at trumpeting its presence, NASCAR may be on a path to increased visibility.
NASCAR

NASCAR Insiders Reveal Over $100,000,000 Worth Garage Secret

NASCAR insiders shed light on Rick Ware Racing's nine digit takeover by Spire Motorsports founder T.J. Puchyr despite ongoing lawsuit.
NASCAR: Bank of America ROVAL 400

NASCAR’s Replacement of Nearly $208 Billion Sponsor Dishes Big Money for Chicago Debut

Arby’s replaces McDonald’s as NASCAR Chicago race sponsor with bold new cheesesteak promo, ad blitz, and full track takeover.
NASCAR: Grant Park 220

Fans Erupt As NASCAR’s $1,000,000 Tournament Kicks Off Under Heavy Controversy

After a failed opportunity to grab a hefty prize, fans bash NASCAR while suspecting foul play in the in-season tournament.
NASCAR Atlanta

Chase Elliott Ends HMS’s 9-Year-Long “Running Joke” With Once-in-a-Lifetime Offer for Fans

After faltering for a long time, Chase Elliott broke through multiple winless skids, with one bringing smiles to a cancer kid.
Chase Elliott, Atlanta

Despite Lawsuit Looming Over His Head, Jimmie Johnson Makes Bold Claim for NASCAR’s 2026 Season

Legacy Motor Club owner Jimmie Johnson opens up about expanding his team's operations in the foreseeable future despite lawsuit drama.
AUTO: AUG 19 IndyCar – Bommarito Automotive Group 500

Carson Hocevar Warned by NASCAR Champion After Spire Motorsports Reignite Old Beef

After Carson Hocevar's fresh round of controversy on social media, Ryan Blaney takes it to be the last straw and sends out a warning.
Carson Hocevar

NASCAR Lawsuit: Michael Jordan and Co Struck With a Big Blow While NFL, NBA Walk Free After Court Ruling

A U.S. District Court judge refuses the disclosure of financial documents from other sports leagues as part of the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA 4EVER 400 presented by Mobil 1 Oct 22, 2023; Homestead, Florida, USA; 23XI Team co-owner Michael

Racing Community Reacts as HMS Star’s Atlanta Statement Rubs Fans the Wrong Way

Hendrick Motorsports star driver's comments after crashing out of the Quaker State 400 weren't appreciated by the race fans.
Rick Hendrick

Fan Frustration Boils Over as NASCAR Veteran’s Opinion Divides a Fanbase Already at Odds

NASCAR's new Bracket Challenge sparks excitement and controversy, dividing fans as they debate its impact on racing tradition.
NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Rick Hendrick’s HMS Issues Strong Promise to Fans, Vowing to Resurrect Struggling Star

Hendrick Motorsports eyes full playoff representation in 2025, rallying behind Alex Bowman to complete their four-car championship push.
Rick Hendrick

Dale Jr.’s 18-YO Driver Shares 4-Word Verdict on Wild Atlanta Race After Career-Best Finish

Young Trackhouse Racing phenom bags his best NASCAR Cup Series finish during the wild race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr

Chase Elliott Admits Teammate’s Sacrifice That Denied Brad Keselowski the Atlanta Win

In a recent interview, Chase Elliot admitted teammates' sacrifice that prevented Brad Keselowski from winning the race in Atlanta.
Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski

Chase Elliott’s Crew Chief Heaps Praise on His Philanthropic Efforts After His Special Win in Atlanta

Chase Elliott’s Atlanta win was more than just a victory lap—it honored a young designer, a proud crew chief, and teammate support.
CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 25: Chase Elliott ( 17 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) talks with members of his cr

Veteran NASCAR Broadcaster Drops 7-Word Cheeky Remark on Chase Elliott Win at Wreckfest in Atlanta

NASCAR royalty trolls Chase Elliott’s EchoPark win but still calls Atlanta NASCAR’s best track in a bold twist fans didn’t see coming.
Untitled design – 2025-06-30T205800.774

Joe Gibbs’ Grandson Gets Secret Weapon as Denny Hamlin’s Ex Crew Chief Switches Roles

Ty Gibbs gets a midseason boost from Denny Hamlin’s ex crew chief as NASCAR legends debate Chicago’s street race.
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs

Rick Hendrick’s Top Brass Gives Brutal Reality Check on Daytona’s Lost Identity

Chase Elliott’s crew chief, explains why the old, bumpy Daytona meant better racing and how today’s smooth surface changed the game.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Championship Qualifying Nov 4, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series team o

Why 23XI Racing’s 2025 NASCAR Season Feels More Fragile Than Frustrated Fans Expected?

Despite its star-studded ownership, drivers like Bubba Wallace and deep resources, 23XI Racing’s 2025 season is unraveling under pressure.
Syndication: The Tennessean

About NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR Cup Series: Origin, Teams and More

What is the NASCAR Cup Series?

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is the authorizing body for stock-vehicle racing in North America. It was established in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Currently, the organization fields four types of tracks: Intermediate tracks, Superspeedways, Short Tracks and Road Courses.

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USA Today via Reuters

NASCAR Cup Series Origin

The first-ever NASCAR race was held at Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway on June 19, 1949 and Christian David "Jim" Roper was the victor after racer Glen Dunaway was disqualified for making illegal adjustments to his car.

Why is it named Cup Series? 


The NASCAR Cup Series is the pinnacle of the racing arrangement in the NASCAR classification. The arrangement started in 1949 and was called the Strictly Stock Division. The series was subsequently known as the Grand National Division from 1950 to 1970.

Then, in 1971, it started renting its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and was alluded to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series till 2003. From the next year onwards, the series came to be known as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series till 2007 after a partnership with Nextel.

Sprint obtained Nextel in 2005 and 2008 saw the arrangement being renamed as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Sprint remained the sponsor of the NASCAR Cup from 2008 to 2016. It was reported in December 2016 that Monster Energy would be the sponsor; therefore, the arrangement was renamed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series from 2017 to 2019.

However, after decades of name changes, in 2017, the organization finally decided to shed off its old image and simply be named as the NASCAR Cup Series, with series sponsors being called 'Premier Partners'.

What is the format of the Cup Series?

The NASCAR points system has been a complicated affair to say the least. Over the years, the organization has tried several iterations, namely the Latford system, the Chase and the current elimination playoffs format among others, to discern one that would be fair to each driver.

While the earlier system saw drivers being awarded points on the basis of prize money in a particular race, in 1972 a new format was introduced. This time the points were awarded on the basis of laps completed. However, even that came with its own flaws and just two years later, in 1974, the organization introduced point calculation based on a mathematical formula. However, given the complexity of the equation, Bill France Jr, the former CEO of NASCAR decided to step in and call upon his close friend Bob Latford, to come up with an efficient way, which later came to be known as Boot Hill Format or the Latford Model.

With equal points awarded in all races, as New York Times aptly put it: "Mr. Latford set up his points scale to reward consistency rather than flashes of brilliance, and drivers seem to like it that way."

This system was perhaps the longest-running one during that time, being replaced in 2003, by The Chase format. Currently, the NASCAR Cup Series operates on the Playoff Format. The schedule consists of 31 oval races, 4 road course races, one street track race, and 4 non-championship races to be held on ovals. This also includes 16 playoff races, with four elimination rounds, namely, Round of 16, Round of 12, Round of 4 and Championship 4.

NASCAR Cup Series Teams

As of 2024, the NASCAR Cup Series has 16 full-time teams participating and three manufacturers, namely Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford. As for the team with the most number of victories and championship, Hendrick Motorsports has has an undebatable upper hand, with 305 Cup Series wins and 14 drivers championships.

NASCAR Cup Series Venue

The first championship race was reportedly held at Martinsville Speedway, a half-mile oval, on October 16, 1949. Currently, the final race of a Cup season is held at the Phoenix Raceway, which is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona, near Phoenix.

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USA Today via Reuters

NASCAR Cup Series Championship

The NASCAR Cup Series hosts three different championship under one name: The Driver's Championship, the Owner's Championship and the Manufacturer's Championship. The driver's championship as the name suggests is the award given to the driver that has emerged as the winner at the end of a season. On the other hand, the Owner's Championship aims to reward the team at the top of the points standings. The driver with the most championship wins are Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson. Additionally, Rick Hendrick-owned Hendrick Motorsports has won a record-breaking 14 championships till date.

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On a similar note, the Manufacturer's Championship sees Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEMs) being awarded a championship based on how races their cars managed to dominate and the points accumulated. In this regard, US-based manufacturer Chevrolet has racked up the most Cup Series wins at 42, followed by Ford at 17, and Toyota at 3.

NASCAR Cup Series Track Types

As mentioned earlier, the NASCAR Cup series organizes its races on four different types of tracks, namely, Intermediate tracks, Superspeedways, Short Tracks and Road Courses.

When it comes to Intermediate tracks, it simply means "any track greater than one mile in length, with the exception of both Daytona and Talladega" according to the official NASCAR website and currently the Cup Series drivers compete on the following Intermediate tracks/Speedways :

  • Atlanta Motor Speedway (1.540-mile, Quad-Oval)
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway (1.500-mile Quad-Oval, including a 2.280 miles Road Course)
  • Darlington Raceway (1.366-mile, Egg-Shaped Oval)
  • Dover Motor Speedway (1.000-mile, Concrete Oval)
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (1.500-mile, Oval)
  • Kansas Speedway (1.500-mile, Tri-Oval)
  • Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.500-mile, Tri-Oval)
  • Michigan International Speedway (2.000-mile, D-Shaped Oval)
  • Nashville Superspeedway (1.333-mile, Tri-Oval)
  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1.058-mile, Paperclip Oval)
  • Phoenix Raceway (1.000-mile, Dogleg Oval)
  • Texas Motor Speedway (1.500-mile, Quad-Oval)
  • World Wide Technology Raceway (1.250-mile, Egg-Shaped Oval)

On the other hand, Superspeedways ae oval road courses of two miles or longer. Currently, the NASCAR Cup Series has the following Superspeedways:

  • Auto Club Speedway (2.000-mile, D-Shaped Oval; Currently not in use)
  • Chicagoland Speedway (1.500-mile, D-Shaped Oval; Currently not in use)
  • Daytona International Speedway (2.500-mile, Tri-Oval)
  • Kentucky Speedway (1.500-mile, D-Shaped Oval)
  • Pocono Raceway (2.500-mile, Triangular Oval)
  • Talladega Superspeedway (2.660-mile, Tri-Oval)

The short tracks (less than 1 mile in length) that are part of NASCAR are:

  • Bristol Motor Speedway (0.533-mile, Oval)
  • Eldora Speedway (0.500-mile, Oval; Currently not in use)
  • Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile, Oval)
  • Knoxville Raceway (0.500-mile, Oval
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)
  • Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (0.686-mile, Oval)
  • Martinsville Speedway (0.526-mile, Paperclip Oval)
  • Milwaukee Mile Speedway (1.015-mile, Oval)
  • North Wilkesboro Speedway (0.625-mile, Oval)
  • Richmond Raceway (0.750-mile, D-shaped Oval)

As for Road Courses, NASCAR makes use of the following race tracks:

  • Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile, Currently not in use)
  • Chicago Street Race (2.14 miles)
  • Circuit of the Americas (3.426-mile)
  • DAYTONA Road Course (4.170-mile, Currently not in use)
  • Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2.400-mile, Currently not in use)
  • Portland International Raceway (1.967-mile, Currently not in use)
  • Road America(4.048-mile, Currently not in use)
  • Sebring Raceway (3.741 mi, Currently not in use)
  • Sonoma Raceway (1.99-mile)
  • Watkins Glen International (2.45-mile)

NASCAR Cup Series Crown Jewel Races

While NASCAR has several racetracks that it competes on, there are a couple venues that are held in high regards. Currently there are four such venues/races, namely the Daytona 500 held at the Daytona International Speedway, the Coca-Cola 500 held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway , the Brickyard 400/Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway.

Till date, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and retired NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon has the most number of Crown Jewel race wins (21), followed by Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson (14) and retired NASCAR driver Bobby Allison (13).

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via Imago

NASCAR Cup Series Cars

NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport and till date, there have been several iterations of the cars used during races. If we go back to the very inception of the sport, the first kind of vehicle that was used used to be called Generation - 1 (1948-1966), followed by Generation - 2 (1967-1980) and Generation - 3 (1981-1991). Later the Generation - 4 (1992 to 2007) was introduced , and then Generation - 5 (2007 -2012) and Generation - 6 (2013-2021) came into play. And currently, NASCAR features the Generation - 7 car that is also known as the Next-Gen.

Anothe notable model was the Generation - 5. Dubbed as the "Car of Tomorrow", this model featured flaunted prominent front splitters under the bumpers and larger rear wings. Apart from that, according to NASCAR, the car also had "significant safety advancements and a return to symmetrical bodies". 

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USA Today via Reuters

NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Street Course

The NASCAR Cup Series has come a long way since its initial days. The organization has always been open to developments and one of the most exciting ones came in 2023,when the tourney made its Street Course debut at Chicago.

In a bid to turn make the schedule even more exciting, NASCAR officials were reportedly in talks with Chicago authorities for a number of years, with one attempt of a Chicago street race even dating back to the 1980s. However, owing to political pressure, that plan failed to materialize. Now, fast forward to four decades later and authorities were finally geared up to host an exciting, first-of-its-kind race in downtown Chicago.

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USA Today via Reuters

Designed by race simulation video game developer iRacing, the race aimed to showcase the city's major landmarks such as the Buckingham Fountain, the Grant Park and the Soldier Field Stadium, among others.

The first iteration of the race came in July of 2023, with New Zealand born driver Shane van Gisbergen clinching victory in his first-ever NASCAR race. If that's not iconic, what is?

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Full NameNASCAR Cup Series
Place of OriginCharlotte Fairgrounds Speedway
Year of Origin1949
First RaceNASCAR "Strictly Stock" Race, Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway
Last RaceNASCAR Cup Series Spring Race at Martinsville Speedway, 2024
Crown Jewel RaceDaytona 500, Coca Cola 600, Brickyard 400/ Verizon 200, Southern 500
Drivers with the most ChampionshipsRichard Petty (7), Dale Earnhardt (7) and Jimmie Johnson(7)
Team with the most ChampionshipsHendrick Motorsports (14)
First ChampionRed Byron
Defending ChampionRyan Blaney (2023)
Defending TeamTeam Penske