Not since 2016 has the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series had 1 million viewers for the first 15 races of a campaign.
That could change on Saturday when the 15th race of the 2026 season takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The first 14 races of the 2026 NOAPS season have all had at least 1 million viewers, and should race 15 at Charlotte also get 1 million, it’d be the first time in a decade that NASCAR’s second-tier series will have reached such a height in viewership.
Fifteen races is the series’ longest-ever stretch with at least 1 million viewers. Race 16 of the season is on May 30 at Nashville Superspeedway and could end up being a record-breaking event.
Why O’Reilly Series is growing
The O’Reilly Series’ growth in overall popularity and television viewership can be attributed to both an excellent, old-school-esque racing product and a consistent television partner in the CW. Every NOAPS race is on the same channel every week, as is practice and qualifying, making it easy for fans to tune in each week without having to look up where races are airing.
The series also has established stars and elite talent making up its full-time roster, which is complemented by a sprinkle of Cup Series talent that also competes on Saturdays. However, unlike the Buschwhacking era of the 2000s, which saw Cup Series drivers be able to run as many second-tier races as they wanted, NASCAR has imposed limits as to how many O’Reilly races Cup drivers are able to compete in.
That rule has allowed the series to take on more of its own identity while also featuring the sport’s biggest stars from time to time.
Saturday’s Charbroil 300 at Charlotte is scheduled to go green shortly after 5 p.m. ET on the CW.