Daytona 500 Drivers Reveal Toughest NASCAR Tracks

Drivers share their surprising picks for the most challenging circuits on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Ahead of the Daytona 500, Bookies.com asked 14 NASCAR Cup Series drivers: "What's the Toughest Track In NASCAR?" While Daytona International Speedway remains the crown jewel of the series, none of the drivers mentioned the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Instead, many cited Darlington Raceway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway as the most challenging tracks on the circuit.

Why it matters

The responses from the drivers provide insight into the unique challenges presented by different NASCAR tracks, from the egg-shaped oval at Darlington to the tricky radius changes at New Hampshire. Understanding which circuits drivers struggle with the most can help fans appreciate the skill and strategy required to excel in the sport.

The details

Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain both named Darlington Raceway as the toughest track, citing its narrow lanes and the drastically different entry speeds required for the two ends of the egg-shaped oval. Jimmie Johnson and Alex Bowman pointed to the radius changes and overall awkwardness of New Hampshire Motor Speedway as major hurdles. Other drivers like Todd Gilliland struggled with the concrete surfaces of Dover and Bristol.

  • The Daytona 500, the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series season, is scheduled for this Sunday, February 17, 2026.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series will make its lone stop at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23, 2026.
  • Darlington Raceway hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races per year, with the next events scheduled for May 12 and September 1, 2026.

The players

Denny Hamlin

A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who has won the Daytona 500 a record-tying three times.

Ross Chastain

A rising star in the NASCAR Cup Series known for his aggressive driving style.

Jimmie Johnson

A seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who is considered one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history.

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What they’re saying

“Darlington's the most challenging track simply because of how narrow it is, how small of a lane you have to hit to go fast at that track. Physically demanding. To me, far and away the toughest.”

— Denny Hamlin (Bookies.com)

“I've had speed there. But it's the toughest to get around. I haven't put together the full race. I love it, but it's tough to make a lap. It's shaped like an egg. You enter the corners at two drastically different speeds, which makes for different downforce numbers. Different grip levels with the banking.”

— Ross Chastain (Bookies.com)

“The radius of the turns, 3 and 4. And the difference between the 2 ends. It doesn't look it, but the radius of turns 1 and 2 is a lot tighter and flatter. In 3 and 4, there's a little straightaway section. The properties of the car and the adjustments that you make, there's not a global adjustment to make that helps you. They're just two totally different ends.”

— Jimmie Johnson (Bookies.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This story highlights the unique challenges presented by different NASCAR tracks, from the narrow, egg-shaped Darlington Raceway to the asymmetrical New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Understanding which circuits drivers struggle with the most provides insight into the skill and strategy required to excel in the sport.