NASCAR Cup - New Hampshire

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon for the 2026 racing season. This event serves as one of the final races in the regular season before the playoffs begin. New Hampshire offers fans a unique short-track racing experience on a flat, technical oval that tests driver skill and patience. The facility, known as "The Magic Mile," has hosted NASCAR's top series since 1993 and continues to deliver competitive racing action.

The Circuit at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

New Hampshire Motor Speedway features a 1.058-mile oval with a distinctive paper-clip shape. The track has four turns with progressive banking between 2 and 7 degrees, while the straightaways measure 1,500 feet each with just 1 degree of banking. This flat configuration creates a short-track racing environment on a mile-long facility. The surface combines asphalt and granite, which produces high tire wear throughout each race. Teams must balance speed with tire management to achieve success at New Hampshire.

NASCAR Cup Series Competition in 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series brings together the most experienced drivers and well-funded teams in stock car racing. Kyle Larson enters the 2026 season as the defending Cup Series champion. Freeway Insurance joins as a premier partner of the Cup Series for the first time, replacing GEICO. The 2026 season features updated participation rules that allow Cup Series drivers with three or more years of experience to compete in up to 10 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races and up to 8 Craftsman Truck Series races, though they remain ineligible for regular-season finales, playoff races, or championship events in those series.

Support Series Events

The race weekend at New Hampshire includes multiple NASCAR series. The Team EJP 175 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race concludes the regular season for that series. The Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour also competes during the weekend. These support races add depth to the racing action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Technical Specifications for 2026

NASCAR implements specific technical packages for the New Hampshire race in 2026. The sanctioning body increases engine horsepower to 750hp for tracks under 1.5 miles in length. New Hampshire uses the short track and road course package, which includes a three-inch rear spoiler and fewer diffuser strakes compared to larger ovals. NASCAR mandates A-post flaps at every track to prevent car flips, with bright orange surfaces required under each A-post flap. Chevrolet introduces a new body style for the ZL1 in 2026, adding another element to the competitive landscape.

Track History and Legacy

The site originally opened as 106 Midway Raceway in 1961, featuring a quarter-mile dirt oval. It transformed into Bryar Motorsports Park in 1965 with a 1.6-mile road course. Bob Bahre purchased the facility in 1989 and reconfigured it into a modern oval, opening as New Hampshire International Speedway in 1990. The NASCAR Busch Series, now known as the Xfinity Series, began racing at the track in July 1990. The Cup Series followed in 1993, establishing New Hampshire as a regular stop on the national schedule.

Modern Era

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. acquired the track in 2007 and renamed it New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The facility has witnessed significant moments in NASCAR history, including the introduction of the "lucky dog" rule in 2003. Past winners at New Hampshire include Rusty Wallace, Ernie Irvan, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch. The track has built a reputation for close, physical racing that rewards driver talent.

What Makes New Hampshire Unique

New Hampshire Motor Speedway stands as the largest sports and entertainment complex in New England. The facility occupies approximately 1,200 acres and draws from a population of over 18 million people within 200 miles. Winners at New Hampshire traditionally receive a giant 20-pound lobster as a trophy, reflecting the regional culture. The track's flat corners and short-track characteristics emphasize driver ability over raw power. The Loudon Classic, the longest-running motorcycle race in North America, also calls the speedway home.

Racing at The Magic Mile in 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2026 provides a critical test for championship contenders. The flat, abrasive surface demands precise car control and strategic tire management. Broadcast coverage on USA Network brings the action to fans nationwide. The combination of technical challenge, historical significance, and New England atmosphere makes this nascar-cup event a standout on the schedule. New Hampshire International Speedway continues to serve as a proving ground where driver skill separates winners from the rest of the field.