NASCAR® and Powerball® in 2026: The Chase Is On to $1M

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  • Author:
    Shaun Greer
  • Published:
    08/09/2026

Learn how you can participate in NASCAR® and Powerball® - The Chase, and read about important dates, eligibility, and VIP prizes.

There’s something about a good race that keeps you watching until the very end. Throw a $1 million prize into the mix, and things get even more interesting.

For the fourth year in a row, NASCAR® and Powerball® have teamed up for the 2026 racing season to give one lucky Powerball player and NASCAR fan a chance to win $1 million. This year’s promotion, “NASCAR and Powerball - The Chase to $1 Million," will conclude with the grand prize drawing on November 8, 2026, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The layout for this year’s festivities differs from years past and will closely model the NASCAR Playoff format rather than the 2025 elimination-style format.

Announcing The Chase winner live during Championship weekend creates an unforgettable event and brings NASCAR and Powerball fans together.

NASCAR® and Powerball® Partnerships in Previous Years

Since 2023, NASCAR® and Powerball® have teamed up on the $1 million chase-style event. Since then, the winning stories have already added to the excitement.

The partnership debuted in 2023. That year, Stephanie Walker from Mississippi won the $1 million prize.

In 2024, the "NASCAR Powerball Playoff" returned for a second year and was won by Meagan Lewis from Louisiana.

Last year, Kansas Lottery player Francisco Erives, who was a Staff Sergeant in the Kansas Army National Guard, was declared the $1 million winner. Erives was announced in a special live broadcast from the Phoenix Raceway before the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.

This year, the partnership is called "NASCAR Powerball - The Chase to $1 Million." Prizes, cash, and heart-pounding racing are waiting for fans.

Start Your Engines - The Chase 2026 Timeline:

The road to $1 million will unfold across five race weekends, with the field narrowing at each stop until the final four head to Miami. Here’s how The Chase will play out:

  • September 6, 2026 | Darlington Speedway: Semi-finalists will be announced (one semi-finalist per lottery). Each guaranteed a $2,000 cash prize.
  • September 27, 2026 | Kansas Speedway: 20 players advance to win an additional $3,000.
  • October 18, 2026 | Phoenix Speedway: 10 players advance to win an additional $5,000.
  • November 1, 2026 | Martinsville Speedway: Final 4 players are set, winning a VIP trip for two to the NASCAR Championship Weekend.
  • November 8, 2026 | Homestead-Miami Speedway: Live drawing for the $1 million grand prize. Three additional finalists will each win $10,000.

The VIP Championship Experience

What will the final four win? They’ll receive an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Miami, including round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two. They’ll also receive two Ally Pit Box passes at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Winners will also be granted full infield and garage access. The final four will also enjoy access to Victory Lane during the live national broadcast right before the green flag flies on November 8 and even more exclusive rewards.

Key Details for Participants

Before you start dreaming about that $1 million finish line, there are a few participation details to know.

  • Eligibility: Must be a member of a participating state's lottery VIP club and at least 21 years old.
  • Ticket Eligibility: Rules vary by state, but generally cover Powerball tickets purchased from early March through mid-June 2026.
  • Participating States: States listed for the 2026 season include Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont.
  • Second-Chance Entries: Participating state lotteries, New York, Maryland, Louisiana, and Iowa, will accept non-winning Powerball tickets, offering players a chance to become one of the state's designated semi-finalists. Not sure what a second-chance drawing is? Learn more about them here.

Time for a Pit Stop

Considering playing the Powerball for your chance to win The Chase in 2026? Sometimes playing on a whim pays off big. Even if your Powerball ticket doesn’t land the jackpot, it could still bring excitement your way. With options besides The Chase, you get another shot at a win. Keep those tickets close just in case, you never know when you might win.