Texas Motor Speedway #NASCAR Race Schedule

Trucks on Friday; O’Reilly’s on Saturday; Cup Series on Sunday (ARCA East & ARCA West Race on Saturday)

 

Texas Motor Speedway is a 1.500 mi quad-oval intermediate speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. The facility will play host to a #NASCAR Tripleheader this weekend.

 

WARNING: The latest forecast shows a rain-heavy Friday, followed by a sharp shift into warm, stable conditions for the rest of the weekend — a split that could impact everything from track time to race execution.

 

Friday, May 1, 2026

• 9:00 AM---NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Haulers Enter
• 11:00 AM---NASCAR Cup Series Haulers Enter
• 1:00 PM ---Fan Parking Lots Open
• 1:00 PM---Fan Assistance Shuttles & Trams Running
• 1:00 PM---Fan Zone Open
• 1:30 PM---Gate 4 & Pedestrian Tunnel Open
• 1:35 PM---NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice
• 2:35 PM---NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Machinery Auctioneers & Byrd Oilfield Services Qualifying
• 4:00 PM---NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice
• 4:30 PM---Gates 3,5, Turn 1 Terrace & Suites Open
• 5:05 PM ---NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Machinery Auctioneers & Byrd Oilfield Services Qualifying
• 6:40 PM---NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Driver Introductions
• 7:00 PM---SpeedyCash.com 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race
• Stages:
• 40
• 80
• 167
• = 250.5 Miles)

Saturday, May 2, 2026

• 9:30 AM---Fan Parking Lots Open
• 9:30 AM ---Fan Assistance Shuttles & Trams Running
• 10:00 AM---Fan Zone Open
• 11:00 AM---Gates 3,4,5,6, Turn 1 Terrace, Pedestrian Tunnel & Suites Open
• 11:00 AM---Speedway Children's Charities Live Auction (Cracker Barrel Fan Stage)
• 11:30 AM---NASCAR Cup Series Practice
• 12:40 PM---NASCAR Cup Series Machinery Auctioneers & Byrd Oilfield Services Qualifying
• 1:25 PM---Neon Prophets (Cracker Barrel Fan Stage)
• 1:50 PM---NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver Introductions
• 2:30 PM---Andy's Frozen Custard 340 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Race
• Stages:
• 45
• 90
• 200
• =300 Miles
• 5:30 PM---Dirt Track Gates & Suites Open
• 7:30 PM---Drydene Stockyard Stampede Powered by RelaDyne Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing
• 8:00 PM---Big Hoss TV: Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

Sunday, May 3, 2026

• 8:30 AM---Fan Parking Lots Open
• 9:00 AM---Fan Assistance Shuttles & Trams Running
• 9:00 AM---Fan Zone Open
• 9:30 PM---TXARM Church Service (LoneStar Circle Campground Tent)
• 11:00 AM---Gates 3,4,5,6, Pedestrian Tunnel, Turn 1 Terrace & Suites Open
• 11:00 AM---Track Pass Access Open
• 12:30 PM---Crav'n Flavor Pre-Race Concert featuring Chris Janson (Start/Finish Line)
• 1:55 PM---NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions
• 2:30 PM---WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series Race
• Stages=
• 80
• 165
• 267
• = 400.5 Miles

A Trophy fit for Texas. 😮‍💨 @ParkerCoBeef | #WURTH400 pic.twitter.com/rTwICRlBAy

— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) April 30, 2026

NOTE:

 

The ARCA Menard Series East will race on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. CT in the ‘Cook Out Music City 150’ at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

 

The ARCA Menard Series West will race on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. PT in the ‘Bill Schmitt Memorial 173 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame’ at Shasta Speedway.

 

Two series. Two races. One ARCA Night in America.

📺 NASCAR Channel and @FloRacing
⏰ Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET pic.twitter.com/3q9Ybafy6l

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) April 28, 2026

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway Media

Texas Motor Speedway #NASCAR Dignitaries

Tom Araya, Cooper Flagg plus Fan Zone Entertainers

Tom Araya Named Grand Marshal for WÜRTH 400 Presented by LIQUI MOLY

 

Tom Araya will undoubtedly take “pedal to the metal” to a whole new level – pedal to the thrash metal – as the Grand Marshal of Sunday’s WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. 

 

Araya, the unmistakable lead vocalist and bassist for the legendary thrash metal band Slayer, will deliver the command for drivers to start their engines ahead of the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY (2:30 p.m. CT, TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM) as Texas Motor Speedway celebrates its 30th anniversary season.

 

“Excited to be the Grand Marshal for the WÜRTH 400,” Araya said. “Slayer, NASCAR Reign in speed!”

 

Dallas Mavericks Rookie Star, Cooper Flagg Named Honorary Pace Car Driver

 

Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Cooper Flagg has been named the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, May 3, at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Flagg will have the distinction of driving a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette to pace the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag for the start of the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT (TV: FS1, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM). It will mark his first-ever NASCAR race experience – and it comes with the best seat in the house.

 

“Being asked to drive the official pace car at Texas Motor Speedway is such an honor,” Flagg said. “My Mom and Dad are both big NASCAR fans so we’re excited; this is going to be a special experience for our family.”

 

.@Cooper_Flagg winning Kia @NBA Rookie of the Year was expected, what’s next isn’t ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XEGE6BLpLb

— Gatorade (@Gatorade) April 27, 2026

Texas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Entertainment

 

Headlining the Fan Zone entertainment lineup is the crowd-favorite Sea Lion Splash show, where these whiskered performers wow fans with balancing acts, basketball shots, dancing routines and plenty of personality. Equal parts athleticism and comedy, the show delivers a fun, family-friendly spectacle that has become a fan favorite wherever it travels.

 

The lineup of high-energy performers and roaming entertainers includes: 

• KARDENNI the Magician: Think you’ve seen every trick in the book? KARDENNI is ready to prove otherwise. This high-energy magician blends sleight-of-hand wizardry, interactive comedy and mind-bending illusions that leave crowds laughing, guessing and wondering how he did it. A favorite on stages from theme parks to festivals, KARDENNI brings a little mystery – and a lot of fun – to the Fan Zone acts.
• Jason D’Vaude, The Circus Man: Part stuntman, part comedian and all entertainer, Jason D’Vaude brings a modern circus spectacle to the Fan Zone. His fast-paced act mixes daring balance tricks, juggling mastery, fire artistry and “laugh-out-loud” comedy into a performance that keeps fans glued to the action from start to finish.
• Funkanometry: Precision, rhythm and serious swagger. The fan-favorite viral dance duo Funkanometry returns to TMS to dazzle fans with their signature blend of hip hop, popping and robotic-style choreography that has earned millions of views online and a memorable run on “America’s Got Talent.” Expect slick moves, perfect timing and routines that continue to impress.
• AmirrorCAN MEN: These roaming performers in dazzling red, white and blue mirrored suits reflect everything around them, creating a walking patriotic show across the Fan Zone. Equal parts art installation and crowd favorite, the glimmering trio turns every stroll through the midway into a moment worth capturing with a selfie.
• Animal Stilt Walkers: Towering above the crowd, these larger-than-life performers bring the wild side of entertainment to the Lone Star Sideshows. Dressed as safari favorites like giraffes, zebras and lions, the colorful stilt walkers roam the Fan Zone greeting fans, posing for photos and adding a playful, high-flying energy to the weekend atmosphere.
• Cracker Barrel Trackside Live Stage: The stage will come alive throughout the weekend with driver appearances from all three NASCAR national series. Check out the latest from some of the biggest NASCAR names as they stop by for entertaining and informative on-stage Q&A sessions.

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway Media

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America

Riding for the Cause since 1995

The 30th Anniversary Ride will take place from May 1 – May 9, 2026, starting in Sonoma, California, and ending in Charlotte, North Carolina, crossing 11 states in just nine days.

Former NASCAR driver and current racing analyst Kyle Petty officially announced the complete route and overnight stops for the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA). For the milestone edition, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will truly cross the United States, starting in Sonoma, California, on May 1, 2026, and concluding in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 9, 2026.

 

The 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be book-ended by trips to two iconic Speedway Motorsports (SM) racetracks, Sonoma Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, and will see Petty lead roughly 150 motorcycles over 3,400 miles across 11 states in just nine days to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions. Since 1995, more than 9,575 riders have logged 13.3 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $23 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

 

Morgan and our Motor Marshals are going over every mile, every turn, and every light along the route! This detailed planning is essential to ensure a safe Ride! pic.twitter.com/VadnYcoO8H

— KylePettyCharityRide (@KPCharityRide) April 29, 2026

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will ride historic Highway 50, the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ and parts of the original Route 66, both of which are celebrating their Centennial in 2026. The Ride is working closely with America 250 to highlight iconic stops along the way, and contribute to the “Our American Story,” program in which stories of everyday Americans will be recorded for posterity.

 

The Ride will also make stops at the original Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri; tour Elvis Presley’s home and museum Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee; explore the Coker Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee; ride the famous 318-curve and 11-mile Dragon through the Appalachian Mountains; visit Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina; capped off with a trip to Victory Junction before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

“The reason I am so excited about this year’s Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is because this is our 30th year,” Petty said. “America 250 – the anniversary of our great country’s independence, the 100th anniversary of Highway 50 – the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ the 100th anniversary of Route 66 – another iconic highway. There is just so much to celebrate this year. The places we are stopping – Bass Pro Shops, Coker Museum, Graceland, riding the Dragon - just like the kid’s book says, ‘Oh the places you’ll go!’ I feel like a kid and I’m ready to do it.”

 

Spectators and race fans along the 2026 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s nine overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia, collect autographs and make donations to Victory Junction.

 

Full 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:

• Day 1, Friday, May 1 – Sonoma, CA to Ely, NV
• Day 2, Saturday, May 2 – Ely, NV to Moab, UT
• Day 3, Sunday, May 3 – Moab, UT to Colorado Springs, CO
• Day 4, Monday, May 4 – Colorado Springs, CO to Wichita, KS
• Day 5, Tuesday, May 5 – Wichita, KS to Springfield, MO
• Day 6, Wednesday, May 6 – Springfield, MO to Memphis, TN
• Day 7, Thursday, May 7 – Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN
• Day 8, Friday, May 8 – Chattanooga, TN to Asheville, NC
• Day 9, Saturday, May 9 – Asheville, NC to Charlotte, NC

The start and end points for the 30th Anniversary Ride also replicates the first route taken by Kyle Petty and friends during the initial Ride in 1995. The first Ride kicked off May 8, 1995, following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, and wrapped up in Charlotte eight days later.

 

Among the celebrities participating in this milestone 30th Anniversary Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty; NASCAR Hall of Famer and NASCAR Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth; NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton; former NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace; former Formula 1, Champ Car, and NASCAR driver Max Papis; former IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand; TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood; and great-grandson of William A. Davidson, one of the Harley-Davidson founders, VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson.

 

The bikes are unloaded and all we’ve got left to do is ride! pic.twitter.com/eZSwa8Abkr

— KylePettyCharityRide (@KPCharityRide) April 28, 2026

Since the inaugural year in 1995, the KPCRAA has had 10 total NASCAR Hall of Fame members, two Landmark Award winners and one Squier-Hall Award winner participate in the Ride including: Richard Petty, David Pearson, Terry Labonte, Ray Evernham, Robert Yates, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Hershel McGriff, Donnie Allison, Harry Gant, NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France, and veteran journalist Deb Williams.

 

Applications for the 2026 Ride are closed, and all riders have been selected. The Ride accepted 26 new riders, and applications for the 30th Anniversary Ride filled up in record-setting time – less than 72 hours after applications were distributed. All told, there will be riders from 35 different states, plus two Canadian provinces, taking part in this year’s Ride.

 

“Once you go on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, you become part of the Charity Ride family,” Petty said. “It’s hard to explain to somebody that doesn’t understand it. We have around 50 people who have gone 20 years or more on this Ride.

 

“This year we have 150 motorcycles going with us, and we still had to turn people away. It is the hardest thing to tell people it didn’t work out for this year’s Ride.” he said. “We tell those people to come back next year, get on the list, and we will look at those people first. We have two doctors and two nurses that go with us, paramedics that follow the bikes, retired Highway Patrol motor officers who act as our Ride Motor Marshals, we have a hotel and luggage team, a media team, Coca-Cola sends a team and truck with products, Harley-Davidson sends a truck and technicians – there are an additional 30+ people that go with us just to make sure we can ride every day. The level of commitment from our team, our valued partners and many volunteers is really something special.”

 

Kyle Petty with wife Morgan and sons Overton, Cotton and Davant. 

 

 

source: Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA) Media