BACK TO GALLERIES
2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule in photos
By RJ Kraft | Published: January 4, 2021 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
1 of 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Busch Clash
Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
This year's Busch Clash will be run on the Daytona Road Course and under the lights. The eligibility for the exhibition race consists of 2020 Busch Pole Award winners, past Busch Clash winners, Daytona 500 champions and former Daytona 500 Busch Pole winners — all of whom competed full time in 2020 — as well as 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers, race winners and stage winners. All total, 24 drivers are eligible to run in the event.
Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
This year's Busch Clash will be run on the Daytona Road Course and under the lights. The eligibility for the exhibition race consists of 2020 Busch Pole Award winners, past Busch Clash winners, Daytona 500 champions and former Daytona 500 Busch Pole winners — all of whom competed full time in 2020 — as well as 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers, race winners and stage winners. All total, 24 drivers are eligible to run in the event.
2 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Duel at Daytona
Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
The Duel races at Daytona set the lineup and field for the Daytona 500. The top 10 in each Duel will also receive points. The front row is set via the qualifying session that will be held Feb. 10.
Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
The Duel races at Daytona set the lineup and field for the Daytona 500. The top 10 in each Duel will also receive points. The front row is set via the qualifying session that will be held Feb. 10.
3 of 39
Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images
Daytona International Speedway
Feb. 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
Denny Hamlin will look to become the first driver to win three straight Daytona 500s in the 63rd running of The Great American Race.
Feb. 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
Denny Hamlin will look to become the first driver to win three straight Daytona 500s in the 63rd running of The Great American Race.
4 of 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Daytona Road Course
Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The Daytona Road Course takes the place of Auto Club Speedway from the originally announced schedule. Chase Elliott will look to win his fifth straight road-course race in the Cup circuit.
Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The Daytona Road Course takes the place of Auto Club Speedway from the originally announced schedule. Chase Elliott will look to win his fifth straight road-course race in the Cup circuit.
5 of 39
Michael Reaves | Getty Images
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The Miami race marks the first 1.5-mile race of the season and ends the opening three-weekend points-paying stanza in Florida.
Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The Miami race marks the first 1.5-mile race of the season and ends the opening three-weekend points-paying stanza in Florida.
6 of 39
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Joey Logano has won the last two spring races in Las Vegas. Can he make it three in a row and extend Ford’s spring streak to four in a row?
March 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Joey Logano has won the last two spring races in Las Vegas. Can he make it three in a row and extend Ford’s spring streak to four in a row?
7 of 39
Christian Petersen | Getty Images
Phoenix Raceway
March 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The season's first race at Phoenix will mark the 50th Cup race at the 1-mile venue.
March 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The season's first race at Phoenix will mark the 50th Cup race at the 1-mile venue.
8 of 39
Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images
Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 21 at 3 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski have combined to win the last four races at the 1.54-mile track.
March 21 at 3 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski have combined to win the last four races at the 1.54-mile track.
9 of 39
Patrick Smith | Getty Images
Bristol Motor Speedway
March 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Slide jobs are sure to be plentiful as Bristol will transform into a dirt venue for its spring race. It will be the first premier series event on dirt in more than 50 years.
March 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Slide jobs are sure to be plentiful as Bristol will transform into a dirt venue for its spring race. It will be the first premier series event on dirt in more than 50 years.
10 of 39
Rob Carr | Getty Images
Martinsville Speedway
April 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
Saturday night is more than all right for short-track racing under the lights at "The Paperclip."
April 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
Saturday night is more than all right for short-track racing under the lights at "The Paperclip."
11 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Richmond Raceway
April 18 at 3 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The Richmond spring race returns after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be run in the daytime for the first time since 2017.
April 18 at 3 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
The Richmond spring race returns after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be run in the daytime for the first time since 2017.
12 of 39
Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Talladega Superspeedway
April 25 at 2 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
Ford has won nine of the last 11 races at the 2.66-mile Alabama superspeedway.
April 25 at 2 p.m. ET
FOX/MRN
Ford has won nine of the last 11 races at the 2.66-mile Alabama superspeedway.
13 of 39
Jamie Squire | Getty Images
Kansas Speedway
May 2 at 3 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
The spring race at the 1.5-mile track is now a daytime affair for the 2021 season.
May 2 at 3 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
The spring race at the 1.5-mile track is now a daytime affair for the 2021 season.
14 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Darlington Raceway
May 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
Darlington will host two races in 2021 — the first of which will be the annual throwback event, which has moved to the spring.
May 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
Darlington will host two races in 2021 — the first of which will be the annual throwback event, which has moved to the spring.
15 of 39
Hunter Martin | Getty Images
Dover International Speedway
May 16 at 2 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
For the first time since 1970, the "Monster Mile" will play host to one race in 2021.
May 16 at 2 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
For the first time since 1970, the "Monster Mile" will play host to one race in 2021.
16 of 39
Peter Fox | Getty Images
Circuit of the Americas
May 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET
FS1/PRN
The NASCAR Cup Series makes its debut at the Austin, Texas, road course and will utilize the "long course" for the weekend.
May 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET
FS1/PRN
The NASCAR Cup Series makes its debut at the Austin, Texas, road course and will utilize the "long course" for the weekend.
17 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 30 at 6 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Charlotte hosts its traditional Memorial Day weekend race with the 400-lap, 600-mile event serving as the longest race of the season.
May 30 at 6 p.m. ET
FOX/PRN
Charlotte hosts its traditional Memorial Day weekend race with the 400-lap, 600-mile event serving as the longest race of the season.
18 of 39
Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
Sonoma Raceway
June 6 at 4 p.m. ET
FS1/PRN
The Cup Series is set to return to Sonoma after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic — a track where Martin Truex Jr. has won the last two times in wine country.
June 6 at 4 p.m. ET
FS1/PRN
The Cup Series is set to return to Sonoma after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic — a track where Martin Truex Jr. has won the last two times in wine country.
19 of 39
Tom Pennington | Getty Images
All-Star Open/All-Star Race
June 13 at 6 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
Texas will host the All-Star events for the first time in its history — and closer to the middle of the season — with the winner scoring a cool $1,000,000 in the exhibition event.
June 13 at 6 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET
FS1/MRN
Texas will host the All-Star events for the first time in its history — and closer to the middle of the season — with the winner scoring a cool $1,000,000 in the exhibition event.
20 of 39
Jason Smith | Getty Images
Nashville Superspeedway
June 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The Cup Series will run the 1.33-mile oval for the first time in series history. The last national series races here came in 2011 with the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series.
June 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The Cup Series will run the 1.33-mile oval for the first time in series history. The last national series races here came in 2011 with the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series.
21 of 39
Patrick Smith | Getty Images
Pocono Raceway
June 26 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
For the second straight year, Pocono will host a doubleheader weekend. This is the only scheduled doubleheader weekend of 2021.
June 26 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
For the second straight year, Pocono will host a doubleheader weekend. This is the only scheduled doubleheader weekend of 2021.
22 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Pocono Raceway
June 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The "Tricky Triangle" has been dominated by the Toyota camp in recent years with the manufacturer winning six of the last seven races there.
June 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The "Tricky Triangle" has been dominated by the Toyota camp in recent years with the manufacturer winning six of the last seven races there.
23 of 39
Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Road America
July 4 at 2:30 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
The Wisconsin road course — a fixture in recent years on the Xfinity circuit — joins the Cup schedule for the first time since 1956. This is one of seven road courses on the schedule in 2021.
July 4 at 2:30 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
The Wisconsin road course — a fixture in recent years on the Xfinity circuit — joins the Cup schedule for the first time since 1956. This is one of seven road courses on the schedule in 2021.
24 of 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Atlanta Motor Speedway
July 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
For the first time since 2010, Atlanta will host two races in a season.
July 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
For the first time since 2010, Atlanta will host two races in a season.
25 of 39
Maddie Meyer | Getty Images
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
July 18 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
The “Magic Mile” will host its 50th Cup Series race with its 2021 event.
July 18 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
The “Magic Mile” will host its 50th Cup Series race with its 2021 event.
26 of 39
Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Watkins Glen International
Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
Following the two-weekend Olympics break, Watkins Glen rejoins the schedule after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chase Elliott has won the last two races here.
Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
Following the two-weekend Olympics break, Watkins Glen rejoins the schedule after a one-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chase Elliott has won the last two races here.
27 of 39
Jamie Squire | Getty Images
Indianapolis Road Course
Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. ET
NBC/IMS Radio Network
The Brickyard will look a little different this year as the Cup ranks will run the Indianapolis Road Course that the Xfinity Series used last summer.
Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. ET
NBC/IMS Radio Network
The Brickyard will look a little different this year as the Cup ranks will run the Indianapolis Road Course that the Xfinity Series used last summer.
28 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Michigan International Speedway
Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
Ford has won the last six races in its backyard with Kevin Harvick winning four of those for the blue oval.
Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
Ford has won the last six races in its backyard with Kevin Harvick winning four of those for the blue oval.
29 of 39
Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Daytona International Speedway
Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
The playoff field will be set after the regular-season finale at a track where anything can happen.
Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
The playoff field will be set after the regular-season finale at a track where anything can happen.
30 of 39
Chris Keane | Getty Images
Darlington Raceway*
Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The playoffs kick off on Labor Day weekend with the start of the Round of 16 at “The Lady in Black.”
Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The playoffs kick off on Labor Day weekend with the start of the Round of 16 at “The Lady in Black.”
31 of 39
Sean Gardner | Getty Images
Richmond Raceway*
Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The three winners of the Richmond playoff race have gone on to make that year's Championship 4.
Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
The three winners of the Richmond playoff race have gone on to make that year's Championship 4.
32 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Bristol Motor Speedway*
Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
Thunder Valley will play host to the Round of 16 elimination race for the second straight season.
Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
Thunder Valley will play host to the Round of 16 elimination race for the second straight season.
33 of 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Las Vegas Motor Speedway*
Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
Sin City could change the playoff fortunes for several playoff contenders as the Round of 12 begins.
Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET
NBCSN/PRN
Sin City could change the playoff fortunes for several playoff contenders as the Round of 12 begins.
34 of 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Talladega Superspeedway*
Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
The wild-card round of the playoffs continues with the high banks and high speeds of Talladega.
Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
The wild-card round of the playoffs continues with the high banks and high speeds of Talladega.
35 of 39
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Charlotte Roval*
Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/PRN
The Round of 12 closes out with the Roval — a track that reigning champion Chase Elliott has won at the last two times.
Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/PRN
The Round of 12 closes out with the Roval — a track that reigning champion Chase Elliott has won at the last two times.
36 of 39
Sean Gardner | Getty Images
Texas Motor Speedway*
Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/PRN
Texas' lone points-paying race moves up to open the Round of 8 this season — it was previously the middle race in the Round of 8.
Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/PRN
Texas' lone points-paying race moves up to open the Round of 8 this season — it was previously the middle race in the Round of 8.
37 of 39
Jamie Squire | Getty Images
Kansas Speedway*
Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
Back-to-back 1.5-mile tracks will open up the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Playoffs.
Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. ET
NBCSN/MRN
Back-to-back 1.5-mile tracks will open up the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Playoffs.
38 of 39
Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Martinsville Speedway*
Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
Halloween. The shortest track on the circuit. Four drivers facing elimination from the playoffs as the Championship 4 is set. A finish under the lights. What more could you want?
Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
Halloween. The shortest track on the circuit. Four drivers facing elimination from the playoffs as the Championship 4 is set. A finish under the lights. What more could you want?
39 of 39
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Phoenix Raceway*
Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
For the second straight season, a champion will be crowned in the desert.
Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. ET
NBC/MRN
For the second straight season, a champion will be crowned in the desert.