After kicking off the season at Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR Cup Series travels west for a three-race stint on the West Coast, starting with the Pala Casino 400 at Auto Club Speedway.
Just the chartered teams (36 in all) are entered, meaning all will qualify, barring any entry list changes.
The lone driver change from Daytona is with the No. 15 of Rick Ware Racing, which will field JJ Yeley in his first non-exhibition start of 2023.
Auto Club Cup Entry List
The Cup Series’ second race of 2023 kicks off Sunday, Feb. 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET, with TV coverage from FOX.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.
Gee! Everybody gets to take part in the event. Imagine that. No one has to actually qualify. And 40 could have made it too.
Wasn’t we just in California 2 weeks ago?? The scheduling is so stupid.
Daytona 500 should be the first race with a true Speed Weeks. Also have more practice before qualifying. Then a week off for the big West coast swing.
The Busch Light Clash could of been run this Saturday night, then the 3 West coast races. Make Vegas the last race on Saturday night. Then a week off so the weather is better for the East coast schedule.