Stock-car racing has come a long way since Bill France and his buddies got together in 1947 and formed the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The first race was held on a road course at Daytona Beach on February 15, 1948, and was won by Red Byron driving a modified 1939 Ford.
NASCAR celebrates its 75th season and its storied past as it looks ahead to 2023. Here are some of the highlights and the racing schedule:
NASCAR Loves L.A.
NASCAR is returning to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum preseason exhibition race February 5 on Fox. Joey Logano won the race last year and ended up winning the Cup Series championship in November. The main event will have a field of 27 cars, expanded from last year’s 23.
Old-School All-Star Race
The All-Star Race (May 21, FS1) will take place at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina, which is being restored to its glory days of the ’80s and ’90s. NASCAR last raced on the track in 1996.
Windy City Traffic
Chicago motorists might get thrown for a “Loop” when NASCAR runs Xfinity (July 1, USA Network) and Cup Series (July 2, NBC) races through a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course through downtown streets. It’s the first street contest in Cup Series history.
Big Changes for Busches
After 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch moves to Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 8 Chevy. The iconic No. 18 car sponsored by M&M’s is gone and is now the No. 54 Toyota driven by Ty Gibbs. After struggling with concussion symptoms last season, Kurt Busch announced he will not drive full time in 2023. As a result, Tyler Reddick moves to 23XI Racing and drives the No. 45 a year earlier than planned.
Jimmie Joins Legacy M.C.
Seven-time Cup Series champ Jimmie Johnson emerges from retirement and a stint in IndyCar as a part owner of Legacy Motor Club (formerly Petty GMS) and will drive the No. 84 Chevy part time.
Trucks Get Retooled
Craftsman tools sponsored the Truck Series from its inception in 1995 through the 2008 season. The brand makes its return as the series’ title sponsor in ’23.
2023 NASCAR RACING SCHEDULES
All times Eastern/Central. Schedules subject to change.
NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE
Date/Race/Track/TV Network/Time
February 5: Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum/Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Fox, 8/7c
February 16: Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona/Daytona International Speedway, FS1, 7/6c
February 19: Daytona 500/Daytona International Speedway, Fox, 2:30/1:30c
February 26: Pala Casino 400/Auto Club Speedway, Fox, 3:30/2:30c
March 5: Pennzoil 400/Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Fox, 3:30/2:30c
March 12: Ruoff Mortgage 500/Phoenix Raceway, Fox, 3:30/2:30c
March 19: Ambetter Health 400/Atlanta Motor Speedway, Fox, 3/2c
March 26: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix/Circuit of the Americas, Fox, 3:30/2:30c
April 2: Toyota Owners 400/Richmond Raceway, FS1, 3:30/2:30c
April 9: Food City Dirt Race/Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track, Fox, 7/6c
April 16: NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville/Martinsville Speedway, FS1, 3/2c
April 23: GEICO 500/Talladega Superspeedway, Fox, 3/2c
April 30: NASCAR Cup Series at Dover/Dover Motor Speedway, FS1, 2/1c
May 7: AdventHealth 400/Kansas Speedway, FS1, 3/2c
May 14: Goodyear 400/Darlington Raceway, FS1, 3/2c
May 21: All-Star Open/North Wilkesboro Speedway, FS1, 6/5c
May 21: All-Star Race/North Wilkesboro Speedway, FS1, 8/7c
May 28: Coca-Cola 600/Charlotte Motor Speedway, Fox, 6/5c
June 4: Enjoy Illinois 300/World Wide Technology Raceway, FS1, 3:30/2:30c
June 11: Toyota/Save Mart 350/Sonoma Raceway, Fox, 3:30/2:30c
June 25: Ally 400/Nashville Superspeedway, NBC, 7/6c
July 2: NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago/Chicago Street Course, NBC, 5:30/4:30c
July 9: Quaker State 400/Atlanta Motor Speedway, USA Network, 7/6c
July 16: Crayon 301/New Hampshire Motor Speedway, USA Network, 2:30/1:30c
July 23: M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400/Pocono Raceway, USA Network, 2:30/1:30c
July 30: NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond/Richmond Raceway, USA Network, 3/2c
August 6: FireKeepers Casino 400/Michigan International Speedway, USA Network, 2:30/1:30c
August 13: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard/Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, NBC, 2:30/1:30c
August 20: Go Bowling at the Glen/Watkins Glen International, USA Network, 3/2c
August 26: Coke Zero Sugar 400/Daytona International Speedway, NBC, 7/6c
Playoffs
Round of 16
September 3: Cook Out Southern 500/Darlington Raceway, USA Network, 6/5c
September 10: Hollywood Casino 400/Kansas Speedway, USA Network, 3/2c
September 16: Bass Pro Shops Night Race/Bristol Motor Speedway, USA Network, 7:30/6:30c
Round of 12
September 24: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500/Texas Motor Speedway, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
October 1: YellaWood 500/Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2/1c
October 8: Bank of America ROVAL 400/Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, NBC, 2/1c
Round of 8
October 15: South Point 400/Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30/1:30c
October 22: Dixie Vodka 400/Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30/1:30c
October 29: Xfinity 500/Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2/1c
Championship 4
November 5: NASCAR Cup Series Championship/Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3/2c
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE
Date/Race/Track/TV Network/Time
February 18: Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300/Daytona International Speedway, FS1, 5/4c
February 25: Production Alliance Group 300/Auto Club Speedway, FS1, 5/4c
March 4: Alsco Uniforms 300/Las Vegas Motor Speedway, FS1, 4:30/3:30c
March 11: United Rentals 200/Phoenix Raceway, FS1, 4:30/3:30c
March 18: RAPTOR 250/Atlanta Motor Speedway, FS1, 5/4c
March 25: NASCAR Xfinity Series 250/Circuit of the Americas, FS1, 5/4c
April 1: ToyotaCare 250/Richmond Raceway, FS1, 1/noon c
April 15: Call 811 Before You Dig 250/Martinsville Speedway, FS1, 7:30/6:30c
April 22: Ag-Pro 300/Talladega Superspeedway, FS1, 4/3c
April 29: A-GAME 200/Dover Motor Speedway, FS1, 1:30/12:30c
May 13: NASCAR Xfinity Series at Darlington/Darlington Raceway, Fox, 1:30/12:30c
May 27: Alsco Uniforms 300/Charlotte Motor Speedway, FS1, 1/noon c
June 3: Pacific Office Automation 147/Portland International Raceway, FS1, 4:30/3:30c
June 10: DoorDash 250/Sonoma Raceway, FS1, 8/7c
June 24: Tennessee Lottery 250/Nashville Superspeedway, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
July 1: NASCAR Xfinity Series at Chicago/Chicago Street Course, USA Network, 5/4c
July 8: Alsco Uniforms 250/Atlanta Motor Speedway, USA Network, 8/7c
July 15: Crayon 200/New Hampshire Motor Speedway, USA Network, 3/2c
July 22: Explore the Pocono Mountains 225/Pocono Raceway, USA Network, 5:30/4:30c
July 29: Henry 180/Road America, NBC, 3/2c
August 5: NASCAR Xfinity Series at Michigan/Michigan International Speedway, NBC, 3:30/2:30c
August 12: Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard/Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, USA Network, 5:30/4:30c
August 19: Sunoco Go Rewards 200 at the Glen/Watkins Glen International, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
August 25: Wawa 250/Daytona International Speedway, USA Network, 7:30/6:30c
September 2: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200/Darlington Raceway, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
September 9: Kansas Lottery 300/Kansas Speedway, NBC, 3/2c
Playoffs
Round of 12
September 15: Food City 300/Bristol Motor Speedway, USA Network, 7:30/6:30c
September 23: Andy’s Frozen Custard 300/Texas Motor Speedway, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
October 7: Drive for the Cure 250/Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
Round of 8
October 14: Alsco Uniforms 302/Las Vegas Motor Speedway, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
October 21: Contender Boats 250/Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 3/2c
October 28: Dead On Tools 250/Martinsville Speedway, USA Network, 3:30/2:30c
Championship 4
November 4: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship/Phoenix Raceway, USA Network, 7/6c
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE
Date/Race/Track/TV Network/Time
February 17: NextEra Energy 250/Daytona International Speedway, FS1, 7:30/6:30c
March 3: Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200/Las Vegas Motor Speedway, FS1, 9/8c
March 18: Fr8 208/Atlanta Motor Speedway, FS1, 2/1c
March 25: XPEL 225/Circuit of the Americas, FS1, 1:30/12:30c
April 1: SpeedyCash.com 220/Texas Motor Speedway, FS1, 4:30/3:30c
April 8: Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt/Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track, FS1, 8/7c
April 14: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville/Martinsville Speedway, FS1, 7:30/6:30c
May 6: Heart of America 200/Kansas Speedway, FS1, 8/7c
May 12: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Darlington/Darlington Raceway, FS1, 7:30/6:30c
May 20: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at North Wilkesboro/North Wilkesboro Speedway, Fox, 1:30/12:30c
May 26: North Carolina Education Lottery 200/Charlotte Motor Speedway, FS1, 8:30/7:30c
June 3: Toyota 200/World Wide Technology Raceway, FS1, 1:30/12:30c
June 23: Rackley Roofing 200/Nashville Superspeedway, FS1, 8/7c
July 8: O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio/Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, FS1, 1:30/12:30c
July 22: CRC Brakleen 150/Pocono Raceway, FS1, 12/1c
July 29: Worldwide Express 250/Richmond Raceway, FS1, 7:30/6:30c
Playoffs
Round of 10
August 11: TSport 200/Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, FS1, 9/8c
August 27: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Milwaukee/Milwaukee Mile, FS1, 4/3c
September 8: Kansas Lottery 200/Kansas Speedway, FS1, 9/8c
Round of 8
September 14: UNOH 200/Bristol Motor Speedway, FS1, 9/8c
September 30: Talladega 250/Talladega Superspeedway, FS1, 1/noon c
October 21: Baptist Health 200/Homestead-Miami Speedway, FS1, 12/1c
Championship 4
November 3: Lucas Oil 150/Phoenix Raceway, FS1, 10/9c