NASCAR Announces Rules Updates Ahead Of 2026 Season

As NASCAR returns to the Chase format to determine its 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, the sanctioning body announced a series of modifications to its rulebook on January 16.

There are also changes for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, previously known as the Xfinity Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NASCAR issued a rulebook bulletin on Friday and here are the highlights of some of the changes.

NASCAR Announces OEM Provisional

Up to four additional starting grid positions may be assigned to a new OEM vehicle for the first three events if the vehicle has not otherwise earned a starting grid position. New OEM vehicles will be assigned starting grid positions 37th-40th based on the speeds posted in the first Qualifying round.

NASCAR provided context for the change, saying in a statement, “The spirit of this rule is to help ease the on-boarding of a new manufacturer into national series racing. OEMs using this provisional will not earn prize money but will earn points.”

Lug Nut Penalty Structure In NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts/NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

The penalty structure changes slightly from last season. The updates are in the attached chart.

Minimum Age for O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

At tracks 1.25 miles and shorter and all road courses, the minimum age drops to 17 (from 18).

This is similar to the rule in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series; where the minimum age is 16 at tracks under 1.25 miles and road courses.

Revision To Fastest Lap Point

Once a car enters the garage during the race, that car will no longer be eligible to record the fastest lap. A fastest lap time recorded before entering the garage will remain eligible.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts/NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eligibility

A driver that has elected to accumulate Points in the NASCAR Cup Series will not be eligible to enter the last eight nine events of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race season and last seven events of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race season. Previously, Cup drivers were also ineligible for the regular season finale.

That is no longer the case.

Clarity On The NASCAR Waiver

If a waiver is granted for reasons other than a NASCAR-initiated and/or approved absence, the driver will begin The Chase with 2000 points (or 2020 and 2030 in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, respectively).

For example, a NASCAR-initiated absence could include a one-race suspension. Previously, a driver would start the postseason with 2000 points. With the change in format and elimination rounds no longer a part of the format, a suspended driver would no longer drop to 2000 points.