NASCAR officials have confirmed the return of two prominent bonus programs at Bristol Motor Speedway during the 2026 racing season. The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Dash 4 Cash and the NASCAR Triple Truck Challenge will both feature races at Bristol during the Food City 500 weekend, set for April 10-12. These programs offer competitive incentives that reward drivers for top performances early in the season, reinforcing Bristol’s status as a key venue for high-stakes racing action.
Dates and Events for Bonus Programs at Bristol
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will kick off the bonus action Friday night, April 10, with the Tennessee Army National Guard 250 under the lights. The following day, Saturday, April 11, will showcase the Suburban Propane 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event, which includes the Dash 4 Cash competition. Bristol is notable as the only returning track from the previous season for the Dash 4 Cash, and it is one of only two carry-over tracks in the Triple Truck Challenge alongside Rockingham. The Bristol race will be the second in the five-race Dash 4 Cash series and closes out the three-race Triple Truck Challenge.
Program Rules and Eligibility for 2026 Competitions
The Dash 4 Cash format will closely resemble its 2025 version. A qualifying race will determine the four drivers eligible for the official Dash 4 Cash contest. The highest finisher among them will earn a $100,000 prize and automatically advance to the next Dash 4 Cash event. The subsequent three highest-finishing regulars in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series also qualify to compete. All drivers must be registered to collect points in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship to be eligible.
The Triple Truck Challenge will maintain its familiar structure over the three-race stretch, with each race victory earning a $50,000 bonus. Drivers who win two events receive a combined $150,000 bonus, while sweeping all three races results in a total payout of $500,000. Eligibility requires drivers to be declared for Craftsman Truck Series championship points.
History and Past Winners at Bristol Motor Speedway
The Dash 4 Cash began in 2009, and the Triple Truck Challenge started in 2019. During the 2025 season, Bristol hosted races for both programs. Chandler Smith won the Craftsman Truck Series race in the spring, securing the $50,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus. Justin Allgaier, who finished third in the SciAps 300 O’Reilly Auto Parts race won by Kyle Larson, earned the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus as the highest finishing eligible driver.
Bristol has seen six different drivers capture Dash 4 Cash rewards over the years, including notable winners such as Daniel Suarez in 2015, Erik Jones in 2016, Daniel Hemric in 2017, Ryan Preece in 2018, and Christopher Bell in 2019, with Justin Allgaier’s recent success continuing the trend. Chandler Smith remains the only driver to have claimed the Triple Truck Challenge bonus at Bristol to date.
2026 Schedules for Dash 4 Cash and Triple Truck Challenge Races
The Dash 4 Cash events in 2026 will follow this timetable:
- April 4: Rockingham Speedway (Qualifier)
- April 11: Bristol Motor Speedway
- April 18: Kansas Speedway
- April 25: Talladega Superspeedway
- May 2: Texas Motor Speedway
The Triple Truck Challenge schedule for 2026 is:
- March 20: Darlington Raceway
- April 3: Rockingham Speedway
- April 10: Bristol Motor Speedway
Exciting Weekend of Racing and Fan Entertainment at Bristol
The Food City 500 weekend promises an exciting lineup of NASCAR races and fan-focused activities at Bristol Motor Speedway. The weekend starts Friday evening with the Tennessee Army National Guard 250 Truck Race at 7:30 p.m., followed by Saturday’s Suburban Propane 300 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at the same time, along with Bush’s Beans Qualifying events. Sunday afternoon will conclude with the flagship Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race beginning at 3 p.m.
Beyond the on-track competition, attendees can enjoy diverse entertainment throughout the event. Highlights include viewing on Colossus TV, the world’s largest center-hung video screen, live music performances, VIP experiences, tailgating, and on-site camping. Fans can also participate in a pre-race walk on Bristol’s legendary oval and experience additional shows at the Food City Fan Zone Stage, featuring Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace, John Roberts, and Jose Castillo. Concession stands will offer a variety of food and beverages, enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere of the weekend.
Ticket Information for the Food City 500 Weekend
Tickets for the Food City 500 weekend and associated races can be purchased through the Bristol Motor Speedway website, by calling the BMS Ticket Sales Center, or at local Food City stores while supplies last. This makes the event accessible for fans eager to witness the return of the NASCAR Bristol bonus programs and the thrilling racing competition that comes with them.
