What’s Happening?

It’s finally championship weekend for the 2026 NASCAR season as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series head to Phoenix Raceway to crown their respective champions. Whether you are at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for this weekend in Avondale, Arizona?

• Phoenix Raceway hosts its final NASCAR Cup Series championship weekend this week. The track, which opened in 1964, has hosted the event since 2020; however, the 1-mile track will continue to host a fall race in 2026.
• The NASCAR Cup Series has hosted two races a year at Phoenix since 2005, with the Xfinity Series joining them for their first double date at the track that same season. The Truck Series, despite debuting at the track four seasons prior to the Xfinity Series, has never hosted two dates at the track.
• Weather is rarely a factor for the race, of course, as this is by design; NASCAR doesn’t want any interference in its championship race weekend.

Weekend Weather Forecast via the National Weather Service (All Listed Times Local Mountaix

Thursday, October 30: Craftsman Truck Series Practice 4:35 PM

Before Truck Practice (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 88°F at 3 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 6 to 7 mph

During Truck Practice (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 87°F at 4 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 mph

After Truck Practice (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 83°F at 7 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 2 mph

Friday, October 31: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race on FS1 [TV] & NRN [Radio] – 4:30 PM

Before the Race (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 87°F at 3 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 to 5 mph

During the Race (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 86°F at 5 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 to 5 mph

After the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 79°F at 7 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 2 mph

Saturday, November 1: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race on the CW [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 4:30 PM

Before the Race (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 86°F at 2 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 to 5 mph

During the Race (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 85°F at 5 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 5 mph

After the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 78°F at 7 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 mph

Sunday, November 2: NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race on NBC [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 1:00 PM

Before the Race (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 85°F at 1 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 to 5 mph

During the Race (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 87°F at 3 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 3 mph

After the Race (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 83°F at 6 PM
• Precipitation: 0% Chance Throughout
• Wind: 2 mph

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