NASCAR Launches New Brand Film Starring Scott Eastwood for 2026 Season

NASCAR has unveiled a new brand film, developed in partnership with London-based studio Concept80, to kick off its 2026 racing season. The film, which launched on February 8, will run through March 15 and serve as the primary advertising creative for the season.

A New Era for NASCAR

The film aims to capture the raw energy and spirit of NASCAR, positioning the sport as an exhilarating and immersive experience. According to Tim Clark, NASCAR’s chief brand officer, the launch of the new season is a major moment, especially with the unveiling of the brand refresh. “Working again with Concept80, we set out to create a film that translates the raw power and emotion of NASCAR into cinematic storytelling,” Clark stated. Concept80 and NASCAR previously collaborated on promotional videos for the NASCAR San Diego Weekend, the Homestead-Miami Speedway Championship announcement, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend and Carson Hocevar’s Grand Theft Auto promotion.

Star-Studded Cast and Creative Approach

The brand film features Hollywood actor Scott Eastwood alongside NASCAR drivers Bubba Wallace, Carson Hocevar, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Larson. It also includes appearances by Marshawn Lynch, Cleetus McFarland, and Katelyn Larson. The creative approach, spearheaded by Concept80’s North Carolina studio, focuses on conveying the speed, sound, and intensity of NASCAR without extensively explaining the sport itself.

The film opens with a scene of Scott Eastwood rejecting a traditional celebratory gesture – discarding a glass of champagne – to emphasize that NASCAR is a different kind of experience. It then presents a series of high-energy scenes and community-focused moments, aiming to showcase the sport’s inclusivity.

Concept80’s “Full-Stack Filmmaker” Model

Concept80 partner Rich Phillip highlighted the studio’s “full-stack filmmaker model,” which integrates skills like 3D, VFX, sound design, and editing within a single team. This approach allows for efficiency in both cost and delivery speed. LBBOnline reports this model has been a key focus for the studio over the past 12 months.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series Outlook

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series marks the 78th season of NASCAR professional stock car racing and the 55th season of the modern-era Cup Series. Season previews are now available, offering insights into each team’s outlook for the year. The season began with the Cook Out Clash exhibition race on February 4 at Bowman Gray Stadium and continued with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. The championship will conclude on November 8 at Homestead–Miami Speedway.

Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports is the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, although Tyler Reddick currently leads in points. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the teams and drivers competing in the 2026 season, including details on manufacturers, teams, drivers, and crew chiefs.