The NASCAR Cup Series is off this weekend after Chase Elliott won last time out at Martinsville. This weekend is headlined by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series instead. The 2026 North Carolina Education Lottery 250 from Rockingham Speedway should feature some fantastic racing from some of the best prospects in the sport.
Let’s dive in!
2026 North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Entry List
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will have a field of 38 drivers competing for the win at the historic Rockingham Speedway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will also be on hand with a 38-truck field.
It's ThunderFest Day ⚡️ & @NASCAR weekend in Rockin' Richmond County🏁 @racetherock @BlacksTire @nclottery @FidelityBankNC @DukeEnergy pic.twitter.com/L21RsXBtgJ
— Visit Richmond County, NC (@RichmondNCTDA) April 2, 2026
The weekend is a showcase for the lower series, but a couple of Cup Series regulars will be on-track for the Truck race in Carson Hocevar and Ty Dillon.
Rockingham features a unique layout compared to the rest of the tracks on the circuit. The D-shaped oval measures in at just under a mile, but thanks to the high banking in the corners, it runs more like an intermediate than a short track. The racing we saw in both series last year was extremely exciting, a mix of strategy and on-track action. I’d expect similar here in 2026.
2026 North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Race Predictions
Last year, Jesse Love took the checkered flag as the race winner here at Rockingham. Unfortunately for Love, he was disqualified, and Sammy Smith was awarded the official race win. Still, I’d expect Jesse Love to be a major threat to win this race on Saturday.
For the Trucks, it’s impossible to bet against Corey Heim anytime he’s in the field, given his ridiculous win rate last season. However, I think his Tricon teammate, Kaden Honeycutt, is overdue for his first win. He’ll be my pick for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action for the remainder of the weekend.
Friday 04/03
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 11:05 a.m. CT on FS2
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice – 12:30 p.m. CT on the CW App
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying – 1:35 p.m. CT on the CW App
Black’s Tire 200 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) – 3:30 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 04/04
Rockingham ARCA Menards East 125 – 10:30 a.m. CT on the NASCAR Channel (Tubi)
North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Presented by Black’s Tire (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) – 1:30 p.m. CT on the CW
Stay locked into Apollo for more NASCAR and F1 coverage throughout the racing season, and check out our Instagram – Apollo NASCAR!
