NASCAR's Cracker Barrel 400 is officially on the books to return to Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, May 31, 2026, with the Cup Series race locked into an evening start. The three-day weekend will stack national series racing in Lebanon and is expected to pull in big crowds from across Middle Tennessee.
When and where
The track's official schedule lists the Cracker Barrel 400 as the Cup Series headliner at 6 p.m. CT on May 31, with practice and qualifying set for Friday and Saturday. On-track action will also feature the Flote 200 (CRAFTSMAN Truck Series) on Friday and the Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 (Xfinity) on Saturday, according to Nashville Superspeedway.
How to watch
NASCAR's national schedule lists the Nashville Cup race on Prime Video at 7 p.m. ET, putting the event squarely in a primetime national window, according to NASCAR. Fans should note that listed times reflect Eastern and Central time conversions and are subject to change as the weekend gets closer.
Why it matters locally
The three-day race weekend was announced in 2025 and is billed as a summer kick-off that brings tourism and jobs to Lebanon and surrounding communities. "Year after year, we’re so honored to welcome NASCAR back to Middle Tennessee," said Matt Greci, general manager of Nashville Superspeedway, in a release via Visit Music City. That release also notes that Cup tickets have sold out at the track in recent seasons, a sign that local demand has not cooled off.
Fan zone and on-site events
Organizers say the Tennessee Army National Guard will present the Fan Zone, complete with military vehicles, displays and giveaways. The weekend will also feature concerts and driver appearances. Nashville Superspeedway lists a Yellow Banks pre-race concert, driver introductions and premium upgrades like pit-road access and meet-and-greets. Entertainment and sponsor activations are scheduled to run throughout the Friday-to-Sunday slate.
Getting there
Local coverage of the announcement ran on May 13, with WSMV flagging the race's return to the Superspeedway. Fans should plan for heavy roads and limited hotel inventory and consider arriving early. Tourism partners and transport vendors advise booking travel and lodging now. For tickets, hospitality upgrades and the most up-to-date schedule, check the track's official pages and the national NASCAR schedule before you go.
