NASCAR Truck Calendar 2026

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series stands as NASCAR's premier pickup truck racing competition. The series began in 1995 with the vision of bringing stock car racing to production-based trucks. Craftsman served as the initial title sponsor from 1995 to 2008, followed by Camping World from 2009 to 2022. Stanley Black & Decker brought the Craftsman name back to the series in 2023.

Race Format and Competition

The series features intense racing with 36-truck fields at each event. Races take place on various track types, including short tracks, intermediate ovals, superspeedways, road courses, and dirt tracks. Each race includes stage racing, which creates multiple competitive segments within the main event. Drivers must manage their equipment and strategy across these segments to succeed.

Driver Development Platform

The Truck Series serves as a vital development path for racing talent. Many current NASCAR Cup Series stars started their careers here, including Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch. The series balances veteran racers with emerging talent, creating competitive and educational racing environments. Young drivers learn essential skills while competing against experienced professionals.

Technical Specifications

These race trucks generate between 650-700 horsepower with their V8 engines. Each truck weighs 3,400 pounds with driver and fuel. The vehicles use a four-speed manual transmission and run on Sunoco fuel. Goodyear provides specialized racing tires for all events. Three manufacturers compete in the series: Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.

Championship Structure

The series uses a playoff system to determine its champion. Ten drivers qualify for the playoffs, with eliminations occurring after each round. Points earned during the regular season carry significant weight in determining playoff positions. The championship concludes with a final race where four drivers compete for the title at Phoenix Raceway.

Modern Impact

This series continues to shape NASCAR's future by testing new racing formats and rules. It provides manufacturers a platform to showcase their truck brands and helps teams develop new technology. The racing remains close and competitive, with multiple winners throughout each season demonstrating the depth of talent in the field.