The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returned to Rockingham Speedway on April 4, 2026, for Race 8 of the season. The North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Presented by Black’s Tire delivered a full night of racing on the 1.017-mile oval.
William Sawalich earned his first career win, driving the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He took control on a late restart and led the final 79 laps to secure the victory. The result added new movement to the standings as the season continues, with drivers gaining and losing positions based on performance at Rockingham.
Top Finishers at Rockingham Speedway
Sawalich crossed the line first after leading the closing laps. Brandon Jones finished second, while Justin Allgaier took third place.
Rajah Caruth finished fourth, followed by Carson Kvapil in fifth. The race included close racing across the field, with drivers managing tire wear and track position through pit strategy.
The result marked Sawalich’s first win in the series. His performance moved him closer to the playoff positions as the season progressed.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Updated Standings after Rockingham Race
Allgaier remains the points leader after eight races. He holds 422 points and leads the standings by 126 points.
Jesse Love sits second with 296 points, followed by Sheldon Creed in third with 291 points. Austin Hill is fourth with 277 points, and Corey Day rounds out the top five with 272 points.
Kvapil holds sixth with 267 points, while Sammy Smith is seventh with 260 points. Jones is eighth with 247 points. Parker Retzlaff sits ninth with 229 points, and Caruth completes the top 10 with 215 points.
Sawalich moved to 11th place with 214 points, just one point behind Caruth. Taylor Gray is 12th with 203 points. The gap between the leader and the rest of the field continues to grow after the Rockingham race.
Season Outlook Heading to Bristol Motor Speedway
Allgaier continues to lead the standings with consistent finishes and multiple wins this season. His results have helped him maintain a clear advantage over the field.
Sawalich’s win at Rockingham added pressure to the playoff battle near the cutline. Drivers close to the top 12 positions will need strong results in the coming races to secure their place.
The series moves next to Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11 for the Suburban Propane 300. The event will serve as a Dash 4 Cash race, adding further importance to finishing positions and stage points.
The standings after Rockingham show a clear leader at the top and a tight battle for positions behind. Each race continues to affect the order as the season moves forward.
Guide on Watching NASCAR at Bristol Motor Speedway
The series now heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the spring race weekend from April 10 to April 12, 2026. The weekend features all three national series with races scheduled across three days.
The Truck Series race, the Tennessee Army National Guard 250, will take place on Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM ET and will air on FS1 with streaming available through the FOX Sports App.
The Xfinity Series race, the Suburban Propane 300, is scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 PM ET and will air on The CW with streaming on the CW App.
The Cup Series main event, the Food City 500, will run on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 PM ET and will also air on FS1 with streaming available through the FOX Sports App.
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