NASCAR reveals 2026 Cup schedule changes

NASCAR reveals a refreshed Cup schedule for 2026 featuring new venues, midseason shifts, and a final at Homestead.

NASCAR adds Chicagoland and San Diego to 2026 schedule with Dover All-Star and Homestead finale

NASCAR unveiled its 2026 Cup Series schedule, confirming two new venues and notable shifts across the season. A race at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego is added on June 21, and Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet returns on July 5. The Chicago street race and the Mexico City event are removed for 2026, with a potential return in 2027. The championship finale moves to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, while Phoenix Raceway starts the playoffs as the first race of the semifinal round.

The All-Star Race will relocate to Dover Speedway on May 17, and North Wilkesboro Speedway earns a points race on July 19. Watkins Glen shifts from August to Mother’s Day weekend in May, and New Hampshire moves into August as part of the playoff calendar. The Truck Series will race on a street circuit in St. Petersburg during the weekend that overlaps with INDYCAR, marking a first for the trucks in an urban setting. Network coverage for the Cup Series begins with FOX and FS1 for the first 14 events, followed by NBC and USA Network later in the season, while the Xfinity Series is rebranded as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

NASCAR’s 2026 slate reads like a strategic retooling of the calendar as much as a geographic expansion. Bringing Chicagoland back signals a nod to a strong Midwest base, while Coronado anchors the West Coast push with a venue across the bay from San Diego. The move to Dover for the All-Star Race, and the addition of a playoff race at North Wilkesboro, illustrate a willingness to shift prestige to smaller markets that can still draw attention. The street circuit in St. Petersburg for the Trucks tests an urban format that could be risky if weather or logistics derail plans, yet it also speaks to the sport’s willingness to experiment.

The changes to the playoff map — with Homestead hosting the finale and elements like Watkins Glen and New Hampshire shifting dates — emphasize flexibility in the schedule as teams chase late-season momentum. For fans, these moves could mean longer travel for some and easier access for others, depending on regional fan bases and broadcast windows. For sponsors and broadcasters, the plan promises new markets and broader exposure, but it also raises questions about travel costs, sponsor alignment with new venues, and how much viewership shifts when races move to new dates or cities.

Highlights

The calendar will be judged by turnout and engagement as the season unfolds