Minimum age lowered to 17 for Truck Series in 2026

NASCAR competition officials issued changes Saturday to the eligibility rules for its three national series in 2026, lowering the minimum age requirement for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and expanding the amount of races that Cup Series drivers can enter in both the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series.

The announcement marks the first significant change to the eligibility requirements since 2020, when competition officials limited Cup Series drivers with three or more years of experience to participating in a maximum of five events in the Xfinity Series. That circuit will become the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next year.

Under the new participation guidelines for 2026, drivers 17 years of age will be eligible to compete in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on road courses and oval tracks 1.25 miles or shorter. Drivers 18 and up — the previous age limit for all drivers at all tracks in the series — are eligible to participate on ovals 1.25 miles and longer.

Drivers with three-plus years’ experience in the Cup Series who have also elected to earn Cup Series points will be able to compete in more events next season in the lower national series, which are currently capped at five races each. In 2026, Cup Series drivers at that experience level will be eligible to compete in a maximum of 10 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races and a maximum total of eight Craftsman Truck Series events.

Cup Series drivers will not be eligible to participate in regular-season finales, playoff races or championship events in either the O’Reilly Auto Parts or Craftsman Truck Series. Additionally, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers will not be permitted to enter the Craftsman Truck Series title race.