The North Carolina Education Lottery 250 features a competitive lineup with Cleetus McFarland making his debut.
Category: Sports
The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to Rockingham Speedway on April 4, 2026, for the North Carolina Education Lottery 250. This race marks a key moment in the season as drivers prepare to cover 250 laps over 200.8 miles on the historic 0.94-mile oval.
Corey Day, a promising talent from Hendrick Motorsports, has secured the pole position for this race with an impressive qualifying lap of 22.717 seconds, clocking in at 148.963 mph. Day’s performance was enough to edge out defending series champion Jesse Love by a narrow margin of 0.064 seconds, setting the stage for an exciting race. Love will start alongside Day in the front row, looking to avenge last year's disqualification in this very event.
Parker Retzlaff will start third, followed by Justin Allgaier, the 2024 series champion, who qualified fourth. Allgaier has been on a hot streak, having won three of the last four races, making him a driver to watch as he seeks to extend his winning momentum. Carson Kvapil rounds out the top five, driving for JR Motorsports.
The race will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. Central time, with live coverage on the CW Network. Radio coverage will be provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. For fans looking to stream the event, options include DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. Pre-race coverage is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET, providing insights and analysis ahead of the green flag.
Among the notable entries is Cleetus McFarland, making his O'Reilly Series debut in the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. McFarland, known for his social media presence and automotive content, will start 35th after a less-than-stellar qualifying performance. His participation is highly anticipated, as a strong showing could pave the way for additional races in the series.
Rockingham Speedway, often referred to as "The Rock," is known for its challenging layout and worn surface, which demand excellent tire management and long-run speed from drivers. This unpredictability is expected to lead to strategic racing as teams navigate the 250 laps. With the forecast showing manageable conditions, temperatures are expected to be in the 80s with only a 20% chance of rain, adding to the excitement of the day.
The full starting lineup includes a mix of experienced competitors and fresh faces, with Justin Allgaier leading the points standings by a substantial margin of 92 points over Jesse Love, who sits in second place. Sheldon Creed follows closely in third, 116 points behind Allgaier. As the race approaches, the front-runners and their strategies, particularly how they manage their tires and fuel throughout the event.
As the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series continues to evolve, the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 promises to deliver thrilling action and drama. With a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers, the race is set to be one of the most captivating events in the series this season.