Just weeks ahead of the 2026 NASCAR season kickoff, NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway have announced the removal of the Charlotte Roval from the schedule. Instead, Race 6 of The Chase will revert to a traditional oval race. This update was confirmed by Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO Marcus Smith during a recent episode of the Dale Junior Download podcast, where he discussed the reasoning with Kelly Earnhardt Miller.
The decision emerged from a recent strategy session when executive Jessica Fickensher raised the issue, sparking extensive discussions. After consulting with NASCAR officials, TV partners, and race sponsor Bank of America, everyone agreed to support this change. Smith noted that when the Roval was introduced, road courses were wildly popular among fans, who appreciated its blend of road course and short track racing. At the time, it was one of the most-watched events on TV, generating excitement and memorable moments.
However, Smith acknowledged that the excitement has since declined due to the new car designs and race formats. NASCAR aims to deliver thrilling, competitive events that captivate audiences, a goal they hope to achieve by returning to the oval layout.
This move means the upcoming NASCAR Chase format will no longer feature road course races. The Roval debuted in 2018 with a memorable finish, where Ryan Blaney capitalized on a late collision between Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. Shane van Gisbergen is the current Cup Series winner on this track, which has previously served as a critical Round of 12 cutoff race.
In recent years, the Roval’s place on the calendar has been questioned as newer car models have struggled to produce the compelling racing action seen on intermediate ovals. In contrast, the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte delivered a standout performance, highlighted by Ross Chastain’s remarkable last-to-first victory, which was hailed as one of the season’s best races.
Former Cup champion Brad Keselowski publicly advocated for removing the Roval last year, joining others in urging the series to revert to the traditional oval. The 2025 season featured six Cup events on road or street courses, but three will be dropped for 2026. Overall, NASCAR will still offer four road course races, including the San Diego Street Course, all scheduled during the regular season.
Notably, this marks the first time since 2017 that Charlotte will host a two-points race on an oval in the fall. Martin Truex Jr. won the last 500-mile fall race at the oval track.
Fan Take:
This shift back to the oval highlights NASCAR’s commitment to maximizing on-track excitement and maintaining fan engagement during the playoffs. By focusing on formats that produce dynamic racing, NASCAR is aiming to preserve the sport’s thrilling heritage while adapting to evolving car designs and competition styles.
