The NASCAR Cup Series is set to race at two new locations in 2026, introducing a fresh venue for the All-Star event, a new finale, and shifting the traditional summer race to spring. Several changes were confirmed or expected when unveiling the 2026 schedule, including a new race at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego on June 21, and the return of Chicagoland Speedway, a 1.5-mile oval in Joliet, on July 5.
Both the Chicago street races and Mexico City events have been removed for 2026 but may return in 2027. The season finale on November 8 will take place at Homestead-Miami Speedway instead of Phoenix Raceway, with Phoenix moving to the first race of the semifinal round, assuming the playoff format stays the same.
Other significant modifications include moving the All-Star race to Dover Speedway on May 17, with North Wilkesboro Speedway hosting a points race on July 19. Watkins Glen’s race moves from August to Mother’s Day weekend in May. With Homestead included in the playoffs, New Hampshire is dropped from the playoffs and scheduled for August 23. NASCAR has also announced schedules for its three national series, with the Xfinity Series being rebranded as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The Craftsman Truck Series will race on a street circuit for the first time on February 28 during the St. Petersburg Grand Prix weekend, with trucks racing Saturday and IndyCar on Sunday. The first 14 Cup events will be broadcast on FOX Sports or FS1, featuring iconic races and a variety of tracks, according to Bill Wanger, FOX Sports EVP and Head of Programming.
Fan Take: These schedule changes mark an exciting evolution for NASCAR, offering fans new venues and refreshed race timings that could enhance competition and engagement. Bringing races to fresh locations like Naval Base Coronado and reviving favorites like Chicagoland shows NASCAR’s commitment to both innovation and tradition, promising a thrilling 2026 season.
