NASCAR at New Hampshire 2026: Complete Weekend Schedule, Start Times, and TV Broadcast Info for the Magic Mile
NASCAR heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Round 25 of the 26-race regular season, featuring a packed weekend of action at the “Magic Mile” starting Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, and culminating with the Cup Series Dollar Tree 301 on Sunday, Aug. 23, broadcast on USA Network.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Defending Momentum: Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney enters New Hampshire as the defending race winner, though teammate Joey Logano arrives with fresh momentum following a win at Richmond one week ago.
- Bubble Watch Intensity: Shane van Gisbergen currently sits on the Cup Series Chase bubble in 16th place, defending a 50-point cushion over 17th-place Ryan Preece ahead of the regular-season finale at Daytona.
- Truck Series Cutoff: The Craftsman Truck Series faces its final regular-season race before its 7-race Chase, with Tyler Ankrum holding a precarious 20-point advantage over Stewart Friesen for the final transfer spot.
The Magic Mile Weekend Schedule: What to Watch and When
According to MotorBiscuit and Heavy reporting, the weekend schedule at Loudon kicks off Friday, Aug. 21, with lower-tier and support series activity. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opens the track with practice sessions at 11:30 a.m. ET, followed by final practice and qualifying at 2:45 p.m. ET. Later in the afternoon, the Craftsman Truck Series takes over for practice at 4:00 p.m. ET and qualifying at 5:05 p.m. ET, though neither Truck practice nor qualifying will be televised.
Saturday, Aug. 22, brings the premier Cup Series machines onto the 1.058-mile flat oval. ET to set the starting grid. At 1:30 p.m. ET, the Craftsman Truck Series takes center stage for the Team EJP 175, broadcast live on FS1. The Whelen Modified Tour Mohegan Sun 100 caps off Saturday’s racing at 4:30 p.m. ET via FloRacing.
Sunday, Aug. 23, belongs entirely to the NASCAR Cup Series. The Dollar Tree 301 is scheduled to drop the green flag at 3:00 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the 301-lap, 318-mile battle live on USA Network, with radio coverage provided by the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Streaming Upgrades and Championship Standings Pressure
For fans looking for alternative viewing angles, HBO Max will feature a dedicated Driver Cam service during Sunday’s Cup race. Subscribers to standard tiers or higher can access onboard cameras and live team radio audio for every driver in the field, offering a granular look at cockpit communications and racing lines through Loudon’s demanding braking zones.
The stakes on the championship trail could hardly be higher. Denny Hamlin leads the overall Cup Series standings, sitting 115 points clear of Ryan Blaney. Meanwhile, drivers who have already secured their playoff spots include Hamlin, Blaney, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, and Christopher Bell.
Below the locked-in tier, a fierce battle wages for the remaining positions. The current standings outside the automatic qualifiers feature Kyle Larson in 8th, followed by Joey Logano, Chris Buescher, Carson Hocevar, William Byron, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, and Shane van Gisbergen holding down the 16th bubble spot. Ryan Preece lurks just outside the cut line in 17th, trailing SVG by 50 critical points with only New Hampshire and Daytona remaining.
| Date & Event | Time (ET) | TV / Streaming | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 22: Cup Series Practice | 10:35 a.m. | TruTV | PRN / SiriusXM |
| Sat, Aug 22: Cup Series Qualifying | 11:40 a.m. | TruTV | PRN / SiriusXM |
| Sat, Aug 22: Truck Series Team EJP 175 | 1:30 p.m. | FS1 | SiriusXM / NASCAR Radio |
| Sun, Aug 23: Cup Series Dollar Tree 301 | 3:00 p.m. | USA Network / HBO Max | PRN / SiriusXM |
Tactical Realities of New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Navigating the Magic Mile requires absolute precision from crew chiefs and drivers alike. Because the 1.058-mile oval features exceptionally flat corners and tight radius turns, mechanical grip and braking stability dictate success.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
