NASCAR Freeway 500 a month out at Phoenix Raceway

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA) - As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs continue to intensify, attention is beginning to shift toward Arizona as Phoenix Raceway prepares to host one of the season’s most important races.

The Freeway 500 is scheduled for Oct. 18 at Phoenix Raceway and will serve as one of the final races of the NASCAR Cup Series season. The event will feature 312 laps around the one-mile oval and marks the second Cup Series race held at the track in 2026 after Ryan Blaney captured the Straight Talk Wireless 500 in March.

Among the drivers looking forward to returning to Phoenix is John Hunter Nemechek. Nemechek finished 25th in March’s race and placed 31st in the 2025 Cup Series Championship race, which was also held at Phoenix Raceway.

Nemechek said Phoenix remains one of his favorite stops on the NASCAR schedule because of the atmosphere created by fans and the unique challenges the desert environment presents for teams.

“Phoenix Raceway has definitely been one of my favorite racetracks to come to,” Nemechek said. “The vibe, the atmosphere, how many fans come out and camp, the fans in the stands, just the energy around the whole event at Phoenix is really special... It’s one of those things where you kind of have to determine, car build-wise, what you’re going to go with and then make adjustments based off that. But yeah, it could be really cold in the desert in the morning and could be really hot by the end of the day.”

Before focusing on next month’s race, Nemechek spent time giving back to the local community. He joined Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where they visited patients. During the visit, Phoenix Raceway also presented a $10,000 donation to the hospital.

With the NASCAR playoffs in full swing, teams will continue preparing for a pivotal stop in Arizona as Phoenix Raceway gears up to welcome drivers and fans back for the Freeway 500 in October.