NASCAR - O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR (the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing). It is known as the minor league of the premier Sprint Cup series. It serves as a stepping stone and development series for new drivers. Many times the the Sprint Cup Series and the Xfinity series are held at the same track on the same weekend. Cars are lonfger in wheelbase and body design with less horsepower than the Sprint Cup cars. It is not unusual for Sprint Cup drivers to participate in this series, since many of the Sprint Cup Series drivers are owners in the Xfinity series. The series was previously called the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series in 1982 and 1983, the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series from 1984 through 2002, the NASCAR Busch Series from 2003 through 2007, the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 2008 through 2014, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2015 to 2025, currently named the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Champions O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Rookie/Popular Driver/Manufacturer by Year O'Reilly Auto Parts Series by Year

 

O'Reilly Auto Parts Series History

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series can trace it's roots back to1950 and the NASCAR Sportsman Division. In 1968 the NASCAR Sportsman Division underwent a name change, being known as the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division. In 1982 the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division was consolidated into a national touring series. The inaugural season consisted of 29 races and was renamed the NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series when Anheuser-Busch came forward with sponsorship.

On February 13, 1982 the Goody's 300 was the first race of the series, held at Daytona International Speedway.

For 1984, Anheuser-Busch switched its series sponsorship from its Budweiser brand to Busch. The NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series is renamed the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series. The Grand National was dropped from the series' title in 2003 since that title was used in the Busch East and Winston West series.

Following the 2007 season when Anheuser-Busch said they would not renew their contract with NASCAR, Nationwide Insurance became the title sponsor of the "NASCAR Nationwide Series". On September 3, 2014, it was announced that Comcast will sponsor the series for ten years under their Xfinity branding being known from the 2015 season to the 2025 season as the NASCAR Xfinity Series. For the 2026 season the series was renamed the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.