The 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series was the 70th season

of NASCAR professional stock car racing in the United States, and the 47th modern-era Cup
series season. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Advance Auto
Parts Clash, the Can-Am Duel qualifying races and the 60th running of the Daytona 500. The
regular season ended with the Brickyard 400 on September 9, 2018. The playoffs ended with
the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18, 2018. Martin Truex
Jr. was the defending champion, having won his first in the series.
The 2018 season was the fourth of the current 10 - year television contract with Fox
Sports and NBC Sports and the third of a five-year race sanctioning agreement with all
tracks.[1][2] It is the first season to feature the Regular Season Championship trophy, which is
awarded at the final race before the playoffs.[3] Kyle Busch clinched the MENCS Regular Season
Championship trophy at the end of Stage 2 of the 2018 Brickyard 400.[4]