This weekend, NASCAR shifts its focus to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 400 Cup Series race, following last week’s event at Phoenix Raceway. Scheduled for Sunday, March 16, the race features 36 registered drivers with no open entries, marking the first event this season limited exclusively to chartered teams. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will also compete at the track over the weekend, while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series takes a brief pause.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Hosts 2026’s First Intermediate Track Challenge
Las Vegas Motor Speedway serves as the initial intermediate circuit for the 2026 NASCAR season, providing teams with a new challenge after racing on the short, flat Phoenix Raceway. This 1.5-mile oval requires different strategies and setups, testing driver skill on a more traditional track layout. Unlike Phoenix, which features a compact design, the Las Vegas track offers a fast and flowing race environment important for teams to gather performance data early in the season.
The weekend’s schedule includes events from both the NASCAR Cup Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Thirty-six drivers will compete in the Cup race, with all entrants guaranteed starting positions since there are no additional open teams this time. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will not race this weekend, entering a second consecutive break.
Detailed Schedule for Saturday, March 15
Saturday’s activities begin at noon ET with practice and qualifying sessions for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, broadcast on the CW App. At 2:30 p.m. ET, the Cup Series conducts its own practice and qualifying rounds, available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video. As evening approaches, broadcast coverage on The CW begins at 5:00 p.m. ET, leading into the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at 5:30 p.m.
The O’Reilly race, known as The LiUNA, is split across three stages with lap counts of 45, 45, and 110 respectively. Weather conditions are expected to be favorable, with temperatures in the 80s and no rain forecast, setting the stage for smooth racing on this high-speed oval.
Sunday’s Focus on the Pennzoil 400 Cup Series Race
The primary event of the weekend occurs Sunday, March 16, with the Pennzoil 400 Cup Series race. Pre-race coverage will start at 2:30 p.m. ET on FS1, followed by the race itself at 4:00 p.m. ET, also airing on FS1. The Pennzoil 400 serves as an important early-season indicator for teams aiming to excel on intermediate tracks, which represent the majority of NASCAR’s schedule.
The race is structured into three stages running 80, 85, and 102 laps. Similar to Saturday, weather conditions are expected to remain ideal, featuring warm temperatures in the 80s and zero precipitation chance. Fans can watch Cup Series practice and qualifying on Amazon Prime Video, while the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race is televised on The CW.
As the NASCAR season is still developing, the competition at Las Vegas Motor Speedway could be pivotal for drivers seeking momentum through early victories and crucial points in the Cup Series’ western United States segment.
Broadcast and Viewing Information for the Weekend
Television and streaming options for this weekend’s events are clearly defined: the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice, qualifying, and race air on The CW, with the race also accessible via the CW App for earlier sessions. Cup Series practice and qualifying are available on Amazon Prime Video, while FS1 covers the Pennzoil 400 live on Sunday. This combination of broadcast partners ensures ample viewing opportunities for fans across multiple platforms.
Las Vegas
ETSat
Noon-CW App-OReilly p&q
2:30-Prime-Cup p&q
5-CW-Prerace
5:30-CW-OReilly 45-45-110
NWS: 80s, 0% rainSun
2:30-FS1-Prerace
4-FS1-Cup 80-85-102
NWS: 80s, 0% rain— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 10, 2026
