Quick Read
- The 2026 Autotrader 400 NASCAR Cup Series race is scheduled for today, February 22, at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA.
- Daytona 500 winner Tyler Reddick will start from pole position after qualifying was rained out.
- The race is 260 laps, 400.4 miles, on Atlanta’s unique 1.5-mile drafting track.
- Favorites include Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney; Denny Hamlin is a projected strong performer.
- Live coverage begins at 3:00 PM ET on FOX, with streaming options available.
HAMPTON, GA (Azat TV) – The NASCAR Cup Series is set to continue its 2026 season today with the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. This highly anticipated event, the second points race of the season, will see Daytona 500 champion Tyler Reddick start from pole position after qualifying sessions were cancelled due to rain on Saturday. The green flag is expected to drop at approximately 3:00 PM ET, bringing high-speed action to Atlanta’s unique 1.5-mile drafting track.
The Autotrader 400 marks a pivotal early-season opportunity for drivers to gain momentum. Following Reddick’s triumph at the season-opening Daytona 500, all eyes are on whether he can extend his winning streak or if other contenders will step up at a track known for its unpredictable outcomes. No active driver currently holds more than two victories at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, making today’s race particularly open to a variety of potential winners, according to CBS Sports.
Autotrader 400 Race Details and Track Insights
Today’s Autotrader 400 will consist of 260 laps, covering a total distance of 400.4 miles around the 1.54-mile oval. The race is divided into three stages: 60 laps, 100 laps, and a final 100 laps. This configuration, now in its fourth year, makes Atlanta the only 1.5-mile track where drafting plays a significant role, creating pack racing similar to superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, as reported by The Tennessean.
The unique nature of EchoPark Speedway’s current layout means that driver strategy and drafting ability will be crucial. With qualifying rained out, the starting grid was set by NASCAR’s rulebook, placing Tyler Reddick’s #45 at the front. Joey Logano (#22) will start alongside him in second, followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (#47) and Chase Elliott (#9) in the second row, according to FOX Sports.
Key Contenders and Betting Odds for Atlanta
Despite Tyler Reddick’s pole position and recent Daytona 500 win, the betting odds for the Autotrader 400 show a tight field of favorites. Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney are listed as co-favorites at +1000, per FanDuel Sportsbook odds cited by CBS Sports. William Byron and Austin Cindric follow closely at +1400, while Reddick himself is at +2500, indicating the wide-open nature of the competition.
Expert analysis from CBS Sports highlights several drivers to watch. While Joey Logano is a co-favorite, some models suggest he might be overvalued, citing his inconsistent recent finishes at Atlanta despite strong qualifying performances. Conversely, Denny Hamlin, at +1800, is projected to perform well. Hamlin, a co-owner of 23XI Racing and a Daytona 500 winner earlier this season, achieved his best Cup Series finish last year and has a 2012 victory at Atlanta, alongside consistent top-10 finishes in recent spring races.
How to Watch the Autotrader 400
Fans across the United States can watch the Autotrader 400 live on FOX, with broadcast coverage beginning ahead of the 3:00 PM ET green flag. Radio coverage will be provided by the Performance Racing Network (PRN). For those looking for streaming options, the race can be accessed on the FOX Sports app, while in-car cameras for each driver are available via the HBO Max app with a subscription. Free streaming is also available on Fubo, and audio subscriptions are offered through NASCAR.com and SiriusXM Channel 90.
Today’s race is the second points event on the extensive 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The series will quickly move on to the DuraMax Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on March 1, followed by the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, maintaining a busy start to the season for teams and drivers.
The Autotrader 400’s unpredictable nature at the newly reconfigured EchoPark Speedway, combined with the early-season momentum from the Daytona 500, sets the stage for a compelling race where emerging talents and seasoned veterans alike have a genuine chance to claim victory, underscoring the competitive depth of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series.