Here's the thing about this weekend: the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series leaves behind Charlotte Motor Speedway and heads straight to the desert digs of Phoenix Raceway. This Saturday night battle marks the sixth contest of the nine Chase presented by Mobil 1 events on the 2026 calendar. It is also the 30th points-paying event overall for the series.
Memory lane matters here, too. Jesse Love captured the 2025 O’Reilly title right at this very venue and stands as the defending Phoenix fall victor. But the momentum right now points toward Corey Day. Day arrives in the desert after taking the win at Charlotte, putting him third in the Chase standings. He sits just seven markers behind Chase leader Sheldon Creed.
Driving the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports machine, Day brings two career top-15 finishes from his two prior O’Reilly appearances at the 1-mile track.
When the garage area fires up for Saturday's action, thirty-eight cars will be entered and ready to fight for position. Fans can tune in for the green flag at 7:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on The CW and ESPN Unlimited, alongside audio broadcasts on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
