Xfinity no more: NASCAR welcomes O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for 2026 season
Starting with the 2026 season, the Xfinity Series will officially transition its naming sponsor to O'Reilly. NASCAR announced the multi-year agreement on Monday, Aug. 18.
O'Reilly becomes the fourth title partner in the secondary series' history.
From 1982 through 2007, Anheuser-Busch possessed the naming rights, first with the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series, then the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series and lastly the NASCAR Busch Series.
In 2008, the circuit switched monikers to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Xfinity took over as the primary sponsor in 2015 and spent the last 11 seasons in that role.
'Our company is rooted in the same values that define NASCAR — teamwork, enthusiasm and dedication,' O'Reilly Auto Parts President Brent Kirby said in a news release. 'You'll see those in action when our customers walk through our doors.'
O'Reilly operates more than 6,400 locations across 48 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada. It previously dipped into NASCAR sponsorship by lending its name to multiple races, including the O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 at the Daytona Road Course in 2021.
The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will continue to air exclusively on The CW. The Xfinity Series' TV audience is up 17% in total viewers compared to last season.
Despite no longer being title sponsor, Xfinity reaffirmed its commitment to NASCAR with a statement Monday.
'For nearly 11 years, Xfinity has delivered technology that's changed the NASCAR Xfinity Series on and off the track. We've helped grow the sport by blending racing's tradition with our innovation,' said Matt Lederer, Comcast VP of Brand Partnerships and Amplification. 'As the series enters a new era, our commitment to the sport has never been stronger, and we look forward to continuing to engage with both drivers and fans.'
(This story was updated to add a video.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR Xfinity Series changes title sponsor to O'Reilly Auto Parts
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