The NASCAR Brasil Series officially unveiled its 2026 car in a live Instagram broadcast, which was later shared across social media. The launch featured smoke and lighting effects to highlight the new design. This unveiling marks a significant step forward in the series, distinct from the challenges faced by the Stock Car Pro Series.
“RISE26: The evolution has arrived! This Tuesday in São Paulo, NASCAR Brasil unveiled the car that opens a new chapter in the category. Lighter, more powerful, and with cutting-edge technology, RISE26 symbolizes not only technical innovation but also a forward-thinking mindset for national motorsport. 80kg less, 60HP more, improved safety and maintenance, inspired by the NextGen project from NASCAR US. The future has begun, and it accelerates with NASCAR Brazil.”
– NASCAR Brasil on Instagram
Current NASCAR Brasil Series cars run a 3.6L V6 producing 300 horsepower. The RiSE26, developed over two years and tested for 5,000 km, introduces key changes: output rises to 360 HP (+60), while weight drops to 960 kg (–80). Drivers will begin testing the cars soon, with teams receiving them in October 2025 for final assembly.
Most fans praised the design and performance upgrades, while some argue that the changes are too modest. Speculation also surrounds a potential playoff format for 2026, although nothing has been confirmed. Discussions included adding new circuits, with a clear desire for more oval tracks, and setting the goal of having four global oval stages by 2026.
The latter is a relevant development, as the NASCAR Cup Series may have plans to head to Brazil soon, as new TV deals were made in the country, and interest from commissioner Steve Phelps was made clear.
Fans were apprehensive after recent Stock Car Pro Series developments, but the reveal proved a breath of fresh air, confirming NASCAR Brasil will retain its traditional stock car design.
The NASCAR Brasil Series and the Stock Car Pro Series are separate entities within Brazilian motorsport, each with its own identity. In contrast, the Stock Car Pro Series, formerly Stock Car Brasil, transitioned to SUV-based cars in 2025, aligning with Brazil’s SUV market trends. The shift has led to significant backlash due to design disapproval, performance issues, and reliability concerns.
The Stock Car Pro Series has faced turmoil since introducing SUV-based cars. Drivers such as Felipe Massa and Bruno Baptista were fined R$100,000 (about US$20,000) each for criticizing the cars’ performance and reliability. At Velopark, engine failures were rampant, with Massa reporting five breakdowns in five races. Other drivers, including Gabriel Casagrande, Ricardo Zonta, and Vicente Orige, noted issues such as overheating, turbine problems, and electronic management failures. The sanctioning body responded by reducing race times and eliminating mandatory pit stops. Additionally, one race, originally scheduled for June 29th, was postponed to September 28th to allow for “additional time for adjustments.”
Furthermore, the 2025 Belo Horizonte event was canceled due to insufficient time for safe circuit setup and a legal action by the Ministério Público Federal over noise pollution affecting a nearby veterinary hospital. The event was moved to Cascavel, but the issues persisted, damaging the series’ reputation and image among fans. These challenges provide a contrasting backdrop, highlighting the different path taken by the NASCAR Brasil Series, which continues to grow quickly in the country after being officially licensed by NASCAR in 2023.
The 2026 car marks a new chapter for the NASCAR Brasil Series, focusing on “evolution rather than revolution.” More details on its integration into the series, impact on race dynamics, calendar, and points format are expected soon. Stay tuned to The Daily Downforce for further updates.
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Where do all the drivers stand after the first official points race in the standings table?
After winning the opening points race of the season at Daytona by leading one lap, Tyler Reddick made it to the top of the standings. Under the new rules, he managed to pull up 58 points. He pocketed 55 for the win and added three more by finishing Stage 2 in P8. He may have squeezed out at least one more had he landed inside the top 10 in Stage 1, but after getting swept into a Lap 5 crash, Reddick limped the Stage 1 in P20, giving him no extra points.
Rounding out the top 10 are Brad Keselowski with 39 points in sixth despite a P5 finish, followed by his driver, Chris Buescher, in seventh with 39, Bubba Wallace in eighth with 37, Carson Hocevar in ninth with 36, and Ryan Blaney in 10th with 36.
Atlanta could be a springboard for Elliott, who owns an average finish of 11.4 across 14 starts there, with two wins, including one in last year’s fall race, plus three top fives and nine top 10s. The track could also pull Kyle Busch back into contention. Having already shown his speed at Daytona by winning the pole, he may potentially pull it off at the 1.54-mile track. The RCR driver sits P14 in the standings, but with an average finish of 8.8 at Atlanta since 2023 across six starts, the place might finally snap his 94-race drought.
Then again, Connor Zilisch has only one start at the track and came home P11 last year when he made his third Cup start there, making Atlanta a stage where he could stamp his mark.
Ryan Blaney will also have a better chance than anyone else to climb through a win or even points alone at Atlanta. The No. 12 Team Penske driver has one win there from 2021, but consistency has been his strong suit, with seven top fives and nine top 10s in 15 starts. And that puts him in a position to move the needle when the field rumbles into Atlanta.
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The Daytona 500 and Speedweeks may be over, but that doesn’t mean the chaos will cool off for the stars of NASCAR’s three National Series, as they roll into Hampton, Georgia, to the high banks of EchoPark Speedway for one of the schedule’s most unique race weekends.
Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.
One race weekend is in the books, and a 36-week march back to Florida is underway for the three NASCAR National Series. Whether you are going to be at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for the race weekend in Hampton, Georgia?
Before the Races (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
During the Truck Race (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
During the OAP Series Race (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
After the Race (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
Before the Race (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
During the Race (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
After the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
NASCAR got lucky at EchoPark in 2025, and, as a matter of fact, everywhere else, but that doesn’t mean weather hasn’t affected the track’s races in the past with spot showers and major showers taking on race weekends. Take the summer of 2023, when the race took on a large rain shower that resulted in the race ending after just 185 laps, with race winner William Byron the leader at the time of caution.
Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.
