NASCAR Cup - Charlotte II

The Charlotte II nascar-cup event returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2026 with a significant change. After eight seasons on the Roval road course configuration, the fall race comes back to the traditional 1.5-mile oval. The Bank of America 400 marks the sixth race in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff format known as "The Chase," making this oval race a pivotal moment in the championship battle.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Circuit Details

Charlotte Motor Speedway features a 1.5-mile asphalt quad-oval located in Concord, North Carolina. The track's 24-degree banked turns allow for high-speed racing and multiple racing lines. The Bank of America 400 covers 400 miles, requiring drivers to complete 267 laps around the superspeedway. The facility spans nearly 2,000 acres and includes multiple track configurations beyond the main oval.

The speedway made history as the first modern superspeedway to install permanent lighting for night racing in 1992. The venue hosts around 380 events annually, establishing itself as one of the busiest sporting facilities globally. In 2011, Charlotte Motor Speedway installed the world's largest HDTV at a sports venue, measuring nearly 16,000 square feet.

NASCAR Cup Series Participants

The Charlotte II race will feature a field of 36 to 40 cars. The NASCAR charter system guarantees 36 chartered entries a spot in every race. Non-chartered cars can qualify for the remaining positions based on qualifying speed. Top NASCAR Cup Series teams including Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and Stewart-Haas Racing are expected to compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These teams run cars from manufacturers like Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.

Technical Specifications for 2026

Next Gen Car Configuration

The nascar-cup series continues to use the Next Gen car in 2026. For intermediate tracks like Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Next Gen car operates with a 670 horsepower engine package. This differs from the 750 horsepower package used at short tracks and road courses. NASCAR has mandated A-post flaps at all Cup Series tracks starting in 2026. These flaps work with roof flaps to reduce the risk of cars lifting during spins.

The Next Gen car measures 193.4 inches in length and 78.6 inches in width, with a 110-inch wheelbase. The car features a steel tube frame with an integrated safety roll cage. Power comes from a 5.86-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine paired with a 5-speed sequential manual transmission. The minimum weight stands at 3,200 pounds without driver and fuel. Goodyear supplies tires for all NASCAR Cup Series events.

History of Charlotte's Fall Race

Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted at least two NASCAR events annually since opening in 1960. NASCAR Hall of Famer O. Bruton Smith conceptualized and built the track in 1959. The fall oval race at Charlotte Motor Speedway ran continuously from 1960 to 2017, originally carrying names like the National 400 and National 500. Jimmie Johnson holds the record with four victories in the fall event. Racing legends Buddy Baker and Jamie McMurray each earned their first career Cup Series wins in Charlotte's fall race.

From 2003 to 2016, the fall race typically ran on Saturday nights. This change came after a rain-delayed 2002 race finished under lights and received strong television ratings. The 2026 return to the oval reflects fan interest in intermediate oval racing and aligns with NASCAR's revival of "The Chase" playoff format.

What Makes This Event Notable

The Charlotte II event represents a key playoff race where drivers compete for crucial championship points. The return to the oval configuration at Charlotte Motor Speedway restores a traditional format that spans over five decades of NASCAR history. The tripleheader weekend includes NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the oval, creating a full weekend of stock car racing at one of the sport's most historic venues.

The 1.5-mile oval configuration allows for side-by-side racing through the banked corners. Charlotte Motor Speedway's facilities and atmosphere provide a complete race weekend experience. The original speedway ticket office was a house from the 1700s, where President George Washington reportedly stopped for lunch in 1791. This blend of motorsports competition and historical significance makes the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway a distinctive event in the nascar-cup series schedule.