NASCAR Cup Series Race at Phoenix Raceway Set for Sunday

Everything you need to know about the Straight Talk Wireless 500, including start time, TV channel, race stages, and pre-race penalties.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway this Sunday for the Straight Talk Wireless 500. The race will be broadcast live on FS1, with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM ET and the green flag scheduled for 3:41 PM ET. The 312-lap event will be divided into three stages, with the opening stage running 60 laps, the second stage extending to 125 laps, and the final stage covering 127 laps. Teams will have nine sets of tires available, and the projected fuel window is between 92 and 100 laps. The weather forecast calls for warm, dry conditions. However, two drivers - Zane Smith and Brad Keselowski - will start from the rear of the field due to pre-race penalties.

Why it matters

Phoenix Raceway is a unique one-mile oval that often produces unpredictable races, with its dogleg restarts, multiple racing grooves, and heavy braking zones. As an early-season event, the Straight Talk Wireless 500 provides an important opportunity for drivers and teams to establish themselves in the championship chase.

The details

The Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway will feature a 312-lap race distance, divided into three stages. The opening stage will run 60 laps, allowing teams to quickly evaluate tire wear and balance on the desert oval. Stage 2 will extend to 125 laps, creating a longer middle segment where strategy often begins to influence the race. The final stage will cover the remaining 127 laps. Teams will have nine sets of tires available for the event, an important factor given Phoenix's tendency to reward fresh rubber on long runs. The projected fuel window sits between 92 and 100 laps, meaning pit strategy could vary depending on cautions and how teams approach the stage breaks.

  • The race coverage on FS1 begins at 3:00 PM ET.
  • The green flag is scheduled for 3:41 PM ET.
  • The opening stage will run for 60 laps.
  • Stage 2 will extend to 125 laps.
  • The final stage will cover the remaining 127 laps.

The players

Zane Smith

A driver for Front Row Motorsports who has been sent to the rear of the field and will serve a pass-through penalty after a technical inspection violation was discovered before the race.

Brad Keselowski

A driver for RFK Racing who will also start from the rear after his team elected to move to a backup car ahead of the event.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This race at Phoenix Raceway is an important early-season event that could have significant implications for the NASCAR Cup Series championship chase. The unique track layout and the pre-race penalties for Zane Smith and Brad Keselowski add to the unpredictability and drama that fans can expect to see unfold on Sunday afternoon.