After an electrifying Darlington weekend, the NASCAR schedule now moves to Martinsville Speedway for the annual spring showdown. And this one promises a completely different kind of chaos1 Short-track tempers, tight corners, and bump-and-run drama are all on the menu. With storylines heating up across the garage, here’s everything you need to know, from TV schedule and timings to lineup, odds, and what’s at stake this weekend.
NASCAR schedule for Martinsville weekend(All Times ET)
It’s a packed three-day slate at Martinsville Speedway, with action across multiple series and changing weather conditions adding another layer of unpredictability.
Friday: The day kicks off with Modified practice at 12:30 PM, followed by qualifying at 3:25 PM. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice and qualifying roll in at 4:30 PM before the FloRacing Modified race (200 laps) closes out the night at 7:30 PM. Weather could play a role here, with temperatures in the 70s and a 60% chance of rain.
Martinsville
ETFri
12:30-Mod prac
3:25-Mod qual
4:30-CW App-OReilly p&q
7:30-Flo-Mod race 200
NWS: 70s, 60% rainSat
12:30-Prime-Cup p&q
2:30-CW-Prerace
3:30-CW-OReilly race 60-60-130
NWS: 50s, 10% rainSun
2-FS1-NASCAR RaceDay
3:30-FS1-Cup race 80-100-220
NWS: 60s, 5% rain— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 24, 2026
Saturday: Cup Series practice and qualifying take center stage at 12:30 PM. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series prerace coverage begins at 2:30 PM, leading into the race (60-60-130 laps) at 3:30 PM. Cooler conditions are expected, with temps in the 50s and just a 10% rain chance.
Sunday: Race day kicks off with NASCAR RaceDay at 2 PM. The main event, the Cup Series race (80-100-220 laps), goes green at 3:30 PM. Expect mild conditions in the 60s with only a 5% chance of rain.
Where to watch
Fans can catch all the action across multiple platforms this weekend. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will air on The CW, while Cup Series practice and qualifying stream on Prime Video. Race day coverage shifts to FOX Sports (FS1), which will handle both pre-race and the main Cup event. With coverage spread out, double-checking channels ahead of time is a smart move.
Entry list and lineup
For Sunday’s Cup race, 37 cars are entered, meaning every driver will make the field. Austin Hill stands as the lone open entry, adding an extra storyline to watch. The O’Reilly Series race is more crowded, with 40 entries battling for spots. That means two drivers will fail to qualify, raising the stakes during Saturday’s qualifying session.
With Martinsville’s tight layout, starting position can be critical, so expect aggressive laps even before the green flag drops.
Purse details
The official purse for the 2026 Martinsville race weekend is yet to be announced. However, for context, the 2025 Cook Out 400 featured a total purse of $11,055,25. With NASCAR’s continued growth and sponsorship backing, a similar (and, most possibly, slightly increased) figure is expected this year, making every position on track financially meaningful.
Race odds & favorites
According to Caesars Sportsbook, Ryan Blaney opens as the favorite at +500. And for good reason, as a two-time Martinsville winner. Close behind are Denny Hamlin, last year’s winner and a dominant force at the track, and Kyle Larson at +600.
The next tier features William Byron and Chase Elliott at +700, both capable of breaking through on a short track. With Martinsville’s unpredictable nature, these odds are more of a guideline than a guarantee, especially with tempers and strategy playing huge roles.
Weather outlook
The weather outlook throughout the NASCAR schedule will quietly influence the weekend. Friday carries the biggest risk, with a 60% chance of rain potentially disrupting track activity. Conditions improve significantly over the weekend, with Saturday and Sunday looking cooler but mostly dry. By race day, temperatures in the 60s and minimal rain chances should provide ideal racing conditions.
Wrapping up
If Darlington was about survival, Martinsville is about control. And not everyone has it. This track has a way of exposing weaknesses, whether it’s braking, patience, or pure racecraft. One mistake here doesn’t just cost positions, it can ruin an entire day. That’s what makes this weekend so compelling.
The favorites look strong on paper, but Martinsville rarely follows scripts. Expect tempers to flare, strategies to flip late, and someone unexpected to force their way into the spotlight. By the time the checkered flag falls, the conversation around the 2026 season might look very different than it does right now.
