SCHEDULE

Take a look at the schedule and start planning your visit to the 2026 Food City 500.

Friday – 10 April

• 10:30 – NCTS garage opens
• 12:00 – Bristol Motor Speedway Fan Zone and parking lots open
• 15:30 – Spectator gates open
• 15:30 – NCTS practice
• 16:35 – NCTS qualifying
• 19:30 – TN Army National Guard 250 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race)
• 21:30 – Post-race track walk (entry and exit at the frontstretch flag stand)
• 21:30 – Non-Stop 90’s post-race concert at the Food City Fan Zone stage

Saturday – 11 April

• 09:00 – Transporter and hauler parking opens
• 10:00 – Parking lots and Fan Zone open
• 11:00 – NASCAR Cup Series garage opens
• 14:00 – Spectator gates open
• 14:00 – Suburban Propane 300 practice (O'Reilly Auto Parts Series)
• 15:05 – Suburban Propane 300 Bush’s Beans qualifying (O'Reilly Auto Parts Series)
• 16:30 – Food City 500 practice (NCS)
• 17:40 – Food City 500 Bush’s Beans qualifying (NCS)
• 18:55 – Suburban Propane 300 driver introductions
• 19:30 – Suburban Propane 300 (O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race)
• 22:00 – NASH County post-race concert at the Food City Fan Zone stage

Sunday – 12 April

• 09:00 – Parking lots and Fan Zone open
• 10:00 – Spectator gates open
• 10:30 – 12:30 – Track walk (pass required)
• 12:30 – Pre-race infield experience opens (pass required)
• 13:00 – NASCAR Cup Series grid access opens
• 13:00 – Pre-race concert
• 14:25 – Driver introductions
• 15:00 – Food City 500 (NASCAR Cup Series race)

About the NASCAR Cup Series

The NASCAR Cup Series is the top level of stock car racing in the United States. It features the most experienced drivers and best-funded teams, with a schedule of about 36 races across a variety of tracks, including superspeedways, road courses, and short tracks. The season ends with a playoff format involving 16 drivers, culminating in a four-driver championship race. Iconic events like the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600 are part of the Cup calendar, and the series is known for its intense competition and large fan base.

About the NASCAR Xfinity Series

The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) is NASCAR’s second-tier stock car racing series, positioned just below the premier Cup Series. It’s often viewed as a development league, helping up-and-coming drivers hone their skills before moving up–or offering a successful full-time arena for seasoned drivers.

About the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is America’s top national pickup-truck stock‑car series, now in its 31st season. It races powerful, purpose-built trucks across ovals and road courses, offering a unique blend of speed, strategy, and close‑quarters competition. Positioned below the Cup and Xfinity Series, the Truck Series is a proving ground where rising stars make their mark, veterans sharpen their craft, and fans enjoy some of NASCAR’s most intense, grassroots-style racing.

About ARCA Menards Series

The ARCA Menards Series is an American stock car racing series and acts as the premier division of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). It’s widely recognized as a feeder or developmental league for NASCAR’s national series, including the Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series.