NASCAR Unveils Exciting 2026 Schedule Changes for All Three National Divisions

NASCAR has officially announced its schedule for the 2026 season, revealing significant changes across all three of its national divisions, including the highly anticipated Cup Series. This year, fans can expect a mix of new venues, surprising date adjustments, and an updated playoff format, all designed to enhance the excitement of the racing season.

Changes to the Cup Series Schedule

As part of the 2026 schedule, NASCAR has decided to remove both the Mexico City race and the Chicago Street Course from the calendar, as previously indicated. In their place, a new street race will take place at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, marking an exciting addition to the Cup Series lineup. This decision means that the 2026 season will not feature any international Cup races, focusing solely on tracks within the United States.

The Cup Series will now include five road courses, a reduction from six in the previous year. Notably, the San Diego race will be held back-to-back with the Sonoma race. In a surprising twist, Watkins Glen International has been shifted from its traditional summer date to early May, which will be its debut during this month.

The elimination of the Chicago Street Course has paved the way for the return of the Chicagoland Speedway, which will host a Cup race for the first time since 2019. This race is scheduled for the Fourth of July weekend, promising an exciting celebration for racing fans.

Historic Tracks Making a Comeback

Another highlight of the 2026 schedule is the revival of North Wilkesboro Speedway, a legendary short track that will host its first points-paying Cup race since 1996. This return follows the successful revival of the track during the All-Star Race, showcasing its enduring appeal among fans and drivers alike. In a surprising development, Dover Motor Speedway will lose its points race but will take on the role of host for the All-Star Race for the first time. Dover has consistently held a points-paying race every year since 1969, making this change particularly noteworthy.

Additionally, the first of two races at Darlington will be moved to March, marking the earliest Cup race at this historic venue in over two decades. These changes reflect NASCAR’s commitment to evolving the schedule while honoring its rich history.

A New Look for the Playoffs

The 2026 playoffs will feature a revamped structure, including the return of Homestead-Miami Speedway as the season finale for the first time since 2019. The first round of playoffs will remain unchanged, but there will be a notable shift as Las Vegas moves from the Round of 8 to the Round of 12, making room for Phoenix to take on the opening race of the Round of 8. Additionally, New Hampshire will be removed from the playoffs, allowing for Homestead’s triumphant return.

In response to the demands of the grueling racing calendar, NASCAR has also added an extra off-week at the beginning of August. This adjustment aims to provide drivers and teams with much-needed rest during a season that remains intense and competitive.

Noteworthy Adjustments in the Lower Divisions

The NASCAR Truck Series is set to make history by partnering with IndyCar for its season opener at St. Petersburg, marking the series’ inaugural race at this venue. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which will soon be known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, will see the removal of Portland from its schedule.

As previously announced, all three divisions will converge in San Diego for an exciting triple-header weekend. However, the Truck Series will not race at Las Vegas in 2026 and will instead join the Cup and Xfinity Series for the All-Star weekend at Dover.

Complete 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

Here’s a detailed look at the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, featuring key races and important notes:

February

• February 1: Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Exhibition race)
• February 15: Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway (68th running of NASCAR’s most prestigious race)
• February 22: EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)

March

• March 1: Circuit of the Americas
• March 8: Phoenix Raceway
• March 15: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
• March 22: Darlington Raceway (Earliest Darlington Cup race in 21 years)
• March 29: Martinsville Speedway

April

• April 12: Bristol Motor Speedway
• April 19: Kansas Speedway
• April 26: Talladega Superspeedway
• May 3: Texas Motor Speedway

May

• May 10: Watkins Glen International (Earliest Cup race at WGI ever)
• May 17: All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway (Dover loses its points race, hosting this special event for the first time)
• May 24: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR’s longest race and second crown jewel of the season)
• May 31: Nashville Superspeedway

June

• June 7: Michigan International Speedway
• June 14: Pocono Raceway
• June 21: San Diego (New street race on an active military base)
• June 28: Sonoma Raceway

July

• July 5: Chicagoland Speedway (Returns to the schedule for the first time since 2019)
• July 12: EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
• July 19: North Wilkesboro Speedway (First points-paying Cup race since 1996)
• July 26: Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Third crown jewel event of the season)

August

• OFF-WEEK
• August 9: Iowa Speedway
• August 15: Richmond Raceway
• August 23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS loses its playoff race for 2026)
• August 29: Daytona International Speedway (Final race of the regular season)

Playoffs Begin

• September 6 [ROUND OF 16]: Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Fourth crown jewel of the year, opening the playoffs)
• September 13 [ROUND OF 16]: WWT Raceway (Gateway)
• September 19 [ROUND OF 16]: Bristol Motor Speedway (The Round of 16 elimination race)
• September 27 [ROUND OF 12]: Kansas Speedway
• October 4 [ROUND OF 12]: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Moves from Ro8 to Ro12)
• October 11 [ROUND OF 12]: Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (The Round of 12 elimination race)
• October 18 [ROUND OF 8]: Phoenix Raceway (Opens Ro8 after six years as the season finale)
• October 25 [ROUND OF 8]: Talladega Superspeedway
• November 1 [ROUND OF 8]: Martinsville Speedway (The Round of 8 elimination race)
• November 8 [CHAMPIONSHIP 4]: Homestead-Miami Speedway (Homestead returns as the title-decider for the first time since 2019)

2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (Formerly Xfinity) Series Schedule

February

• February 14: Daytona International Speedway
• February 21: EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)

March

• February 28: Circuit of the Americas
• March 7: Phoenix Raceway
• March 14: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
• March 21: Darlington Raceway
• March 28: Martinsville Speedway

April

• April 4: Rockingham Speedway
• April 11: Bristol Motor Speedway
• April 18: Kansas Speedway
• April 25: Talladega Superspeedway

May

• May 2: Texas Motor Speedway
• May 9: Watkins Glen International
• May 16: Dover Motor Speedway
• May 23: Charlotte Motor Speedway
• May 30: Nashville Superspeedway

June

• June 13: Pocono Raceway
• June 20: San Diego
• June 27: Sonoma Raceway

July

• July 4: Chicagoland Speedway
• July 11: EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
• July 25: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

August

• August 8: Iowa Speedway
• August 28: Daytona International Speedway

September

• September 5: Darlington Raceway
• September 12: WWT Raceway

Playoffs Begin

• September 18: Bristol Motor Speedway
• October 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
• October 10: Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL
• October 17: Phoenix Raceway
• October 24: Talladega Superspeedway
• October 31: Martinsville Speedway
• November 7: Homestead-Miami Speedway

2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Schedule

February

• February 13: Daytona International Speedway
• **February