This is the last season that we will have the NASCAR Xfinity Series as the Xfinity Series. A new title sponsor is around the corner for 2026. Right now, there appears to be a favorite according to “people familiar with the matter.”
The NASCAR Xfinity Series has been known as such since 2015. But Xfinity is on the way out. With the racing at an all-time high in the series, The CW media deal, and the great personalities each week, it is going to be a hot commodity.
NASCAR insider, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, reported today on who is in “pole position” to take over for Xfinity. How about the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series?
“[O’Reilly Auto Parts] is in pole position to replace [Xfinity] as title sponsor of the [NASCAR Xfinity Series] starting next year, per people familiar with the matter,” Stern posted today.
So, is Xfinity leaving NASCAR completely? No. According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, the internet provider is set to remain a premier sponsor of the Cup Series, along with Busch Light and Coca-Cola. NASCAR did lose support from GEICO at the end of last season.
Bianchi took things further and said that a deal has been reached between NASCAR and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The news is expected to be officially announced early next week.
A lot of this has to do with The CW coming on to broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Nextstar Media Group, which owns CW, is a competitor of Xfinity and Comcast.
NASCAR Xfinity Series to change names in 2026
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will soon be the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. NOAPS for short, I guess? While it is going to be tough to say, the new deal should continue the positive momentum that the sport’s second-tier series has had recently.
It is becoming the norm for Xfinity Series races to pull in audiences of over 1,000,000. Each week, the series proves that it is the second-most-popular motorsport in the country. There are many online who will happily say that the action in that series is the best thing in racing right now, regardless of series.
O’Reilly Auto Parts is a great partner to have. It just makes sense for an auto parts store to take on this role. Over the years, the company has sponsored races, cars, and has been a good friend to stock car racing. Now, that relationship takes a whole new step.
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, only on The CW. Get ready to hear that a lot in the next year and beyond.
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