The arrival of the NASCAR season is always an exciting time. No disrespect to last week’s snow-covered Clash, but I’m referring to the true commencement of the Cup Series when the green flag waves this Sunday, launching the 68th Great American Race.
Let’s hope it signifies a fresh start for the sport.
The highlight of each season’s launch is observing the vibrant Daytona starting grid filled with sparkly uniforms, clean pit boxes, and polished cars. As Rusty Wallace famously stated, “Daytona 500 prerace is the happiest place on the planet, and the cleanest. And that lasts about one lap.” After that, the chaos begins with bumps, pit stops, rain delays, and fierce competition that lasts over the following months, leaving behind a blend of sweat, oil, blood, and champagne stains.
Still, it’s hard for this veteran press row mind to recall a stronger collective yearning from the NASCAR garage for this year’s inaugural green flag to serve as a cleansing cloth, wiping away an offseason filled with anxiety that everyone is eager to forget.
This year, more than any in recent memory—or perhaps in the entire history of NASCAR—feels vital. It presents a chance to rekindle positive vibes and begin rebuilding trust between grandstand attendees and the competitors they pay to watch race at 200 mph, starting with the reconnection between those racers and their governing body.
For some context, consider how different the sport felt when the last checkered flag waved at the 2025 finale in Phoenix, just over 100 days ago, compared to what it will feel like when racing resumes this weekend.
Last fall, team charters were not a permanent fixture. Speculation lingered around the ongoing antitrust lawsuit tied to Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing contesting charter rules, with hopes for a resolution before a courtroom clash. Back then, NASCAR’s executives had a different tone, using phrases like “ownership royalty” and derogatory terms, alongside a commissioner, Steve Phelps. The decade-old playoff elimination system still reigned. Fans knew Hamlin’s father, Dennis, primarily for his supportive role, battling health concerns as he cheered his son on in close championship races.
Last fall, we were all mourning Greg Biffle.
Now, Biff and a beloved member of our garage team are gone. Team charters are now established, and the anticipated settlement finally emerged from an intense court battle that resulted in Phelps stepping down. Many feelings were hurt along the way, and they still linger. Shortly after, Hamlin lost his father in a house fire, all while recovering from a shoulder injury himself. Yet, Denny Hamlin’s determination remains unwavering, as he steers his push for that elusive championship. His upcoming season feels fueled by a desire for redemption. The Playoffs have been replaced by the Chase format, giving a nod to Hamlin’s efforts and heartbreak.
And the changes don’t end there; Charlotte has abandoned the Roval, North Wilkesboro Speedway will host a Cup race for the first time since 1996, and Homestead-Miami Speedway is returning to its earlier season-ending spot, albeit temporarily. The Xfinity Series is now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, while Connor Zilisch moves up to the Cup series, swapping numbers with new Trackhouse Racing teammate Shane van Gisbergen, and Daniel Suarez transitions to Spire Motorsports. Plus, there will be an increase in horsepower at 20 of the 38 Cup races, primarily on short tracks and road courses. Speaking of road courses, June will bring a thrilling 16-turn, 3.4-mile race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, where cars will weave around massive aircraft carriers and jet tarmacs.
Meanwhile, a generational shift within the garage appears to be on the horizon. Legends like Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano—future NASCAR Hall of Famers—are closer to retirement than the start of their careers, while two-time defending Daytona 500 victor William Byron is still below 30, and young talent Zilisch is only 19!
It’s a lot to keep up with, but thankfully, the focus is primarily on the racing track, not on behind-the-scenes dramas or conflicts over complex points systems.
Jim France, NASCAR chairman and the often uncomfortable face of the sanctioning body’s antitrust challenges, encapsulated it well back in December next to Jordan, who humorously overshadowed France’s presence in court.
France, a man reluctant to speak publicly, voiced what many in NASCAR were feeling: “We can get back to focusing on what we really love. And that’s racing.”
How well that racing will unfold in 2026 remains to be seen. Yet, as we gather at the World Center of Racing in the upcoming days, the general sentiment doesn’t seem to hinge on specific expectations. Everyone is simply eager to dive back into the action, hoping to recapture that “happiest place on the planet” feeling, even if just for that initial lap.
Is NASCAR truly back? That’s a significant question, one that won’t find an answer until at least nine months down the road. but, NASCAR racing is undoubtedly returning, with new leadership and a revamped title structure.
A green flag washcloth reset button that has been long awaited.
