On Saturday, NASCAR confirmed that it would be making some sweeping changes to its eligibility standards for both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.
With much talk about the limits being put on NASCAR Cup Series drivers in the two lower divisions, NASCAR confirmed the changes ahead of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway.
Beginning next season, any NASCAR Cup Series competitor who has three-plus years of full-time experience will be allowed to run a maximum of 10 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events and eight NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events in a single season.
When it comes to specific events that NASCAR Cup Series drivers are allowed to compete in next season, the restrictions will remain intact. Any driver running for NASCAR Cup Series points will be unable to run the series’ cut-off, playoff, or championship events.
Furthermore, any drivers that are running for points in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will be unable to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (which in 2026 will be at Homestead-Miami Speedway).
The current limit, which allows NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three-plus years of experience to run five NASCAR Xfinity (O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events, came into effect in 2020.
NASCAR’s announced rule change for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign brings the series back to the rule it had in 2017, where NASCAR Cup Series drivers were eligible to run 10 NASCAR Xfinity (O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series events.
In August, Steve O’Donnell confirmed that NASCAR was taking a look at changing potential limits for NASCAR Cup Series drivers in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
In addition to the alteration of eligibility standards for NASCAR Cup Series drivers in the O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR has made another move to bring an infusion of talent into the second-tier series even sooner.
Beginning in 2026, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will be allowing drivers to compete in road course and short track (tracks under 1.25 miles) events at the age of 17.
The following racetracks will allow drivers 17 years of age to compete: Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Phoenix Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International, Dover Motor Speedway, Naval Base Coronado, Sonoma Raceway, Iowa Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL. These tracks combine to host 15 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events in 2026.
