Latest NASCAR Cup Series News

Latest NASCAR Cup Series News

More NASCAR Cup Series News

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hands Controversial Verdict on NASCAR’s Schedule Conundrum

Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighs in on NASCAR’s street course dilemma, defending the Chicago race while addressing fan concerns about tradition.
Dale Jr

Kevin Harvick Blasts NASCAR’s Ambitious Project After Latest Chicago Efforts: “Why Are We Still Doing This?”

After NASCAR's second round of experiments in Chicago, Kevin Harvick expressed his disappointment in the continued EV deal.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice and Qualifying Mar 4, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin

NASCAR’s Blue Collar Fanbase Sees Huge Shakeup as Chicago Helps Spread It’s Wings

NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race boosts diversity, with increased inclusivity among fans and drivers, marking a cultural shift in motorsports.
July 2, 2023, Chicago, Illinois, USA: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Driver, Shane van Gisbergen races for position through

24 YO Female Prodigy Labeled ‘Real Talent’ as Fans Rally Behind Her NASCAR Debut

NASCAR fans rally behind NASCAR's new female driver for her ARCA debut at Sonoma Raceway with Cook Racing's No. 17 entry.
NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Championship

NASCAR Fans Back Chicago’s Call to Move NASCAR Street Race Off Holiday Weekend

The racing community shared a perfect solution for NASCAR that will help retain the Chicago street racing event beyond 2025.
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 06: A view of the Chicago Street Race from the stands overlooking the skyline as drivers race through

Denny Hamlin Backs Kyle Larson’s Risky Move as Bubba Wallace Gets Tagged in Chicago

Denny Hamlin shares his honest take on Kyle Larson's questionable move on Bubba Wallace during the Chicago race.
Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin Sides With Joey Logano as Ross Chastain Faces Fallout for ‘Rage Wreck’

Denny Hamlin backs Joey Logano after Ross Chastain’s rage wreck in Chicago sparks controversy over NASCAR’s penalty inconsistencies.
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Denny Hamlin Questions Bubba Wallace’s Intent as Pressure Mounts on His NASCAR Seat

After Bubba Wallace put up bizarre actions in Chicago, he draws flak from team owner Denny Hamlin who defends his rival.
Denny hamlin and Bubba wallace

NASCAR Insider Throws Ross Chastain Under the Bus as Joey Logano Demands Justice

A prominent NASCAR insider urges Ross Chastain to make peace with Joey Logano after the two drivers clashed at the Chicago Street course.
2025-chicago-street-cup-joey-logano-ross-chastain-1-2048×1156

Ryan Blaney’s Wife Reveals Emotional Toll of NASCAR’s Next-Gen Chaos: “It’s Scary”

After witnessing NASCAR's Next-Gen nightmares, Ryan Blaney's wife slips out her constant worries about the racetrack.
WhatsApp Image 2025-01-16 at 7.48.42 AM

“He’s Asking for Help:” Insider Calls Out NASCAR for Delayed Response to Cody Ware’s Chicago Crash

A prominent insider urges NASCAR to hold itself accountable after the caution delay following Cody Ware's wreck at the Chicago Street Course.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 Qualifying

Denny Hamlin Hints Trackhouse Might Use Daniel Suarez’s Exit to Exploit NASCAR’s Playoff Loophole

Denny Hamlin suggests Trackhouse could exploit NASCAR’s playoff rules by replacing Suárez with a road course ace like Connor Zilisch.
Suarez Hamlin

Trackhouse Owner Justin Marks Issues 3-Word Bold Claim on SVG’s Chicago Dominance

Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks praises Shane van Gisbergen's dominance after Cup and Xfinity Series sweep at the Chicago Street course.
Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Marks

“Very Cute Senorita”: NASCAR Insider Sends Cold Goodbye as Chicago Break-Up Letter Goes Viral

After a caution-filled race in Chicago, a reporter disses NASCAR's ongoing bond with the city - only to get a savage reply.
July 7, 2024, Chicago, Il, USA: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series driver, Chris Buescher races for position for the Gra

Denny Hamlin Blasts NASCAR’s Road Course Push as Chicago’s Fate Hangs in the Balance

On the latest episode of his podcast, Denny Hamlin talked about the road course trend that has swept NASCAR in recent years.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Qualifying Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) d

Kyle Petty Defends NASCAR’s Controversial Chicago Call Despite Backlash From Fans and Drivers

Kyle Petty justifies NASCAR's decisions to delay cautions at the Chicago Street course, citing Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as an example.
Kyle Petty

Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Blames His Own Driver in Fiery Aftermath of Chicago Wreck With Alex Bowman

After round 2 of fireworks with Alex Bowman in Chicago, Bubba Wallace draws no sympathy from his team's spotter.
bubba and bowman

Denny Hamlin Fans Just as Shocked as JGR Stars Pulls Off the Unthinkable at Chicago

Denny Hamlin shocks Chicago, roaring from last to fourth, igniting fan buzz and proving his fighting ability during tough situations.
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 13: Denny Hamlin ( 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Clips Haircuts Toyota) looks on prior to the running of t

Denny Hamlin Denounces NASCAR’s Controversial Call That Raised Safety Concerns in Chicago

Despite SVG's stunning Chicago win, a dark cloud hangs over it, with Denny Hamlin hounding NASCAR about its call.
Denny Hamlin

NASCAR Rumor: Controversial Track’s Extension Deal in Talks as Executives Refuse to Back Down

Three years in, the Chicago Street Race dazzles fans but faces uncertainty as city leaders and NASCAR still unclear on its future.
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 06: A view of the Chicago Street Race from the stands overlooking the skyline as drivers race through

Cursed by Brutal Luck, Cup Star Speaks Out After Falling Short Against Shane van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen stormed to his second Cup win in 2025 and completed a weekend sweep, but one rival made him sweat in the early stages.
(230703) — CHICAGO, July 3, 2023 — Shane van Gisbergen (C) reacts after winning the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Chicago St

Shane Van Gisbergen Prepared to Sacrifice the Track That Made His NASCAR Career

Discover what Shane van Gisbergen has to say about his future chances to race at the track he owes his career to.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice & Qualifying Aug 12, 2023; Speedway, Indiana, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane V

Katherine Legge Earns Major Respect, Forcing Fans to Eat Their Words

Katherine Legge shocks Chicago with historic top‑20 Grant Park 165 finish, silencing critics and inspiring NASCAR fans.
Katherine Legge

Fans Divided as Bubba Wallace and HMS Star Reignite Their Rivalry in Chicago

A dramatic showdown between Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman in Chicago leaves fans fiercely split over blame, intent, and racing ethics.
Bubba Wallace and Rick Hendrick

Fans Lose It as SVG Dumps NASCAR Media for Wildly Embarrassing Chicago Night

Shane van Gisbergen's Chicago sweep and cheeky hangover post sparked global buzz, blending elite racing with unexpected off-track charm.
2nd October 2022, Auckland New Zealand; Shane van Gisbergen (NZL) and Glen Weston , Skodia Fabia Rally 2. Repco Rally Ne

NASCAR Penalty: Fans Turn in Final Verdict Over Bubba Wallace’s Chicago Tussle

NASCAR fans share their take on the potential suspension for the HMS driver after his tussle with Bubba Wallace in Chicago.
NASCAR: Cup Practice and Qualifying

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