Tech Section
Seasonal Learnings: 2026 marks the first year of the series under the **O'Reilly Auto Parts** title sponsorship [35, 36]. Richard Childress Racing has established a "Drafting Monopoly," with Austin Hill winning five of the last seven Atlanta races [37, 38].
Package: Teams used intermediate drafting specifications. **Rule Updates:** Minimum age for participation is 18 for tracks longer than 1.25 miles (EchoPark is 1.54 mi) [39, 40].
Goodyear Specs: Teams utilized the durable D-6124 (Left) and D-6126 (Right) Racing Eagle tires [41, 42].
Post Race Analysis Section
Austin Hill Dominance: Austin Hill tied a track record with his 5th series victory at Atlanta [43]. He fended off late charges from Aric Almirola and Justin Allgaier, surviving contact with the right rear of his car in the final 100 yards of the race [44, 45].
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Race Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | Austin Hill | Richard Childress Racing | 55 |
| 2 | 41 | Sam Mayer | Haas Factory Team | 48 |
| 3 | 8 | Sammy Smith | JR Motorsports | 34 |
| 4 | 48 | Nick Sanchez | Big Machine Racing | 33 |
| 5 | 27 | Jeb Burton | Jordan Anderson Racing | 32 |
Play By Play Caution & Forensic Log
Austin Hill swept both Stage 1 and Stage 2, maintaining a perfect stage-win record for the 2026 season [43]. A multi-car accident on the final lap created significant damage for the trailing pack [46].
The event featured a record 12 cautions for 68 laps [30]. Details include: