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Weather Forecast for Phoenix Raceway’s Spring 2026 NASCAR Race Weekend

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Truck Series takes the week off this week while the O’Reilly Auto Parts and Cup Series continue their Westward march to Phoenix Raceway. So, whether you are going to be at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for the race weekend in Avondale, Arizona?

• Phoenix Raceway is one of the most storied racing facilities in the United States, having hosted races for all three NASCAR National Series and open-wheel racing. This weekend, while NASCAR makes its annual visit, the NTT IndyCar Series returns to Phoenix for the first time since 2018.
• Phoenix Raceway since 1988, hosting two annual race weekends, and, up until last season, the season finale for all three NASCAR National Series. The OAP Series has hosted two annual weekends at the track since 2005, after first making its debut at the facility in 1999.
• Phoenix has historically had some of the best weather on the NASCAR schedule. With its location in a low-rain, warm area, given the right race weekend, NASCAR usually gets a shot at a weather-free race.

Weekend Weather Forecast

• Via the National Weather Service
• All Listed Times MT (Local)

Saturday, March 7: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series GOVX 200 | 5:30 PM on The CW

Before the OAP Series Race (2:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 82°F at 5:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance at 2:00 PM
• Wind: 7 to 8 MPH

During the OAP Series Race (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 82°F at 5:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 0% Chance
• Wind: 7 MPH

After the OAP Series Race (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 70°F at 8:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 1% Chance at 11:00 PM
• Wind: 6 to 7 MPH

Sunday, March 1: Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 | 1:30 PM on FS1

Before the Cup Series Race (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 79°F at 1:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 5% Chance at 11:00 AM
• Wind: 6 MPH

During the Cup Series Race (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 83°F at 4:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 5% Chance
• Wind: 6 MPH

After the Cup Series Race (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 83°F at 5:00 PM
• Precipitation Chance: 5% Chance
• Wind: 5 to 6 MPH

Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.

Phoenix Raceway’s 2026 NASCAR Spring Weekend Race Hub: TV Schedule, Entry Lists, Race Info, and More

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

With COTA in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series head to Phoenix Raceway for the first short track race of the 2026 season. This hub gives you everything you need to know before, during, and after this weekend’s races.

Race: Phoenix Raceway

Cup: Sunday, March 8, 2026

• Time: 3:30 PM ET
• TV: FS1
• Radio: MRN, Sirius XM NASCAR
• Practice/Qualifying: Saturday, March 7 – 12:00 PM ET | 1:10 PM/ET Prime Video

Race Winner	TBD
Pole Sitter	TBD
Prerace	Entry List | Qualifying Order | Practice Results | Qualifying Results
Race Results	Race Results | Cumulative Report | Infraction Sheet | Groovy Gauge
Updated Standing	Driver’s Points | Owner’s Points
New and Notes	Weather Report | Race Storylines | TV Ratings

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Saturday, March 7, 2026

• Time: 7:30 PM ET
• TV: The CW
• Radio: MRN, Sirius XM NASCAR
• Practice/Qualifying: Friday, March 6, 7:00 PM ET | 8:05 PM/ET The CW App

Race Winner	TBD
Pole Sitter	TBD
Prerace	Entry List | Qualifying Order | Practice Results | Qualifying Results
Race Results	Race Results | Cumulative Report | Infraction Sheet | Groovy Gauge
Updated Standing	Driver’s Points | Owner’s Points
New and Notes	Weather Report | Race Storylines | TV Ratings

This article will be updated throughout the race weekend.

COTA Groovy Gauge Presented by Lectric eBikes

by Bryan Aguiar

Three races, three wins, and three straight celebrations with Michael Jordan. History was made at Circuit of the Americas as Tyler Reddick opened the season with an unprecedented three straight victories, holding off Shane van Gisbergen in the Texas heat while chaos and strategy shuffled the field behind them. Here’s how it scored on the Groovy Gauge, powered by Lectric eBikes.

Groovy Gauge Score: 65%

• Eric believes what makes this race memorable is the history, three straight wins to start a season has never happened in 75-plus years, especially in the parity-driven Next Gen era, and that doing it with 23XI Racing makes it feel even more impressive.
• Eric thinks Reddick beating van Gisbergen straight up matters, snapping SVG’s road course streak and doing it at a track where both are elite, raising the legitimacy of the run.
• Eric believes stage one and two dragged because of predictable strategy flips, with drivers sacrificing points for track position, making the race feel like it truly began in stage three, with the first two stages being “fillers.”
• Eric thinks the final 45 laps delivered solid intensity, with Blaney pressuring early, SVG hanging tough, and Connor Zilisch flashing high speed before late race contact derailed a potential breakout. He says just Zilisch’s climb through the field was worth watching.

2026 Groovy Gauge Score Tracker

Race	Score	Source
Clash at Bowman Gray	50%	Watch HERE
Daytona 500	85%	Watch HERE
Atlanta	90%	Watch HERE
COTA	65%	Watch HERE