NASCAR and USA Sports today announced the premiere of NASCAR AMERICANA, a three-part limited documentary series inspired by America’s 250th Birthday that explores the sport’s unique place in the American story. Executive produced by Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, the docuseries will debut Sunday, August 9 on USA Network at 7 p.m. ET following the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway.
Watch the trailer here.
From its roots on Southern back roads to its rise as a national institution, NASCAR AMERICANA traces the people and traditions that have shaped stock car racing. Each episode homes in on a theme which reveals how a regional pastime evolved into an American cultural phenomenon:
- Part 1 (August 9) – “Rebel Roots” traces NASCAR’s origins from rebellious moonshiners to the founding of the sport in 1948, revealing how the DAYTONA 500 became an American tradition and how the 1979 edition transformed NASCAR into a national phenomenon. Part 1 follows third-generation NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney as he prepares for the 2026 DAYTONA 500.
- Part 2 (August 15) – From hometown dirt tracks to NASCAR’s biggest stages, “Family Bonds” explores the love of racing that has united families across generations and made it one of America’s most enduring communities. This episode features the first formal sit-down interview with Hall of Fame driver Kurt Busch since the sudden loss in May of his younger brother Kyle Busch, the all-time winningest driver across NASCAR’s three national series. It focuses on the relationships that define NASCAR as drivers, teams, and fans come together to honor Busch at the 2026 Coca-Cola 600.
- Part 3 (August 23) – “Enduring Spirit” follows NASCAR’s transformation from a regional pastime into a national institution while celebrating the patriotism and traditions that remain at its heart, proving that progress and heritage can race side by side. Part 3 explores modern day NASCAR through the eyes of five-time 2026 Cup Series winner and DAYTONA 500 champion Tyler Reddick and three-time Cup Series race winner Bubba Wallace at the 2026 Anduril 250, the first-ever race at a U.S. Naval Base.
The series leans on interviews and stories spanning generations of drivers, teams, and families to examine how NASCAR has reflected and shaped the culture, identity, and character of a changing nation. Prominent figures featured in the series include four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time, country music star and NASCAR team co-owner Darius Rucker, actor turned stock car driver Frankie Muniz, and NFL Legend Manning.
The limited documentary series premieres on USA Network on August 9 at 7 p.m. ET, immediately following the Iowa Corn 350 post-race show. The Iowa Corn 350 is the first race of USA Sports’ NASCAR coverage in 2026, which features 10 races live on USA Network. The second and third episodes of NASCAR AMERICANA will air on USA Network following live coverage of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 15 (7 p.m. ET), and the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23 (3 p.m. ET).
Directed by Emmy-winner Max Gershberg (“Miracle: The Boys of ‘80”), NASCAR AMERICANA is produced by FULL SPEED ENTERTAINMENT, the production partnership between NASCAR Studios and Words + Pictures, which focuses on elevating the cultural footprint of NASCAR through bold storytelling, premium content, and large-scale specials. Words + Pictures is led by the creators and producers of the critically acclaimed documentary series The Last Dance and the Academy Award-winning documentary feature OJ: Made in America. NASCAR AMERICANA was also produced by Omaha Productions, Peyton Manning’s media company dedicated to creating content that unifies and uplifts audiences.
— NASCAR —