The 2023 Pala Casino 400 was a NASCAR Cup Series race that was held on February 26, 2023, at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. It was contested over 200 laps on the two-mile (3.2 km) D-shaped oval and it was the second race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. It was the final race on the 2 mile oval as it will not be on the 2024 schedule due to the track being renovated into a 0.5 mile short track in 2024.

The 2023 Daytona 500 was a NASCAR Cup Series race and the 65th running of the event. It was held on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was the first race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series. Jimmie Johnson returned to the Cup Series for Legacy Motor Club in this race. This was the longest Daytona 500 in history going 530 miles.