1996 in NASCAR

In 1996 in NASCAR, the (NASCAR) sanctioned three national touring series, eight regional touring series, and the Winston Racing Series for local competition. NASCAR champions in 1996 were Terry Labonte, Randy LaJoie, Ron Hornaday, Jr., Lance Hooper, Dave Dion, Tony Hirschman, Lyndon Amick, Mike Cope, Kelly Tanner, Chris Raudman, Joe Kosiski, and Larry Phillips.

During 1996, NASCAR expanded its brand into several new entertainment areas. The NASCAR Online website went live during the year, while the first four NASCAR Thunder stores, operated in conjunction with Gaylord Entertainment were opened. In addition, the NASCAR Racing Online Series, based on Papyrus's NASCAR Racing 2 game, was formed using the Total Entertainment Network system.

The 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series consisted of 31 events, run at 18 race tracks in 15 states.Terry Labonte won his second series championship, beating Jeff Gordon by 37 points; the Rick Hendrick-owned No. 5 Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chevrolet team won the series' owner's championship. Labonte's team, led by crew chief Gary DeHart, also won the series' Pit Crew Championship, held in October at North Carolina Motor Speedway.