9 days sooner than final 12 months, NASCAR has formally confirmed the 2026 schedule for all three of its nationwide divisions, together with the Cup Sequence. Subsequent 12 months may have a number of notable modifications, together with some new tracks, stunning date modifications and a special look to the playoffs.
Formally, Mexico Metropolis and the Chicago Road Course have been faraway from the calendar (as beforehand introduced) with the brand new avenue race added at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. There will probably be no worldwide Cup races in 2026.
That signifies that there will probably be 5 street programs on the schedule, dropping from six. San Diego and Sonoma will run back-to-back, and shockingly, Watkins Glen has been moved out of the summer season months and into early Could for the very first time.
The lack of the Chicago Road Course has additionally opened the door for the return of a beloved intermediate monitor, as Chicagoland Speedway will host a Cup race for the primary time since 2019.
Kyle Busch wins, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Picture by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs
After its unbelievable revival proved to be successful with the All-Star Race, legendary brief monitor North Wilkesboro will host a points-paying Cup race for the primary time since 1996. In a stunning twist, Dover Motor Speedway will lose its factors race and can grow to be the host monitor for the All-Star Race for the very first time. Dover has held a points-paying Cup race yearly since 1969, however that may come to an finish in 2026.
Darlington’s first of two races will transfer to March, which is the earliest we’ve seen a Cup race on the historic monitor in 21 years.
The playoffs will even have a special look as nicely. As revealed earlier this 12 months, Homestead-Miami Speedway will make its return because the season finale for the primary time since 2019. Whereas the primary spherical stays unchanged, Las Vegas strikes from the Spherical of 8 to the Spherical of 12, making room for Phoenix’s new slot because the opening race of the Spherical of 8. New Hampshire has additionally moved again out of the playoffs, making room for Homestead’s return.
The 2025 schedule solely featured one off-weekend and a stretch of 28 consecutive weeks with Cup racing, and whereas 2026 will nonetheless be a grueling season for all concerned, NASCAR has added an extra off-week at first of August.
Full 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule
DATE
TRACK/RACE
IMPORTANT NOTES
February 1
Conflict at Bowman Grey Stadium
Exhibition race
February 15
Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway
68th operating of NASCAR’s most prestigious race
February 22
EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
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
OFF-WEEK (Easter)
OFF-WEEK (Easter)
OFF-WEEK (Easter)
April 12
Bristol Motor Speedway
April 19
Kansas Speedway
April 26
Talladega Superspeedway
Could 3
Texas Motor Speedway
Could 10
Watkins Glen Worldwide
Earliest Cup race at WGI ever
Could 17
All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway
Dover loses its factors race, however will host this particular occasion for the primary time
Could 24
Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
NASCAR’s longest race and second crown jewel of the season
Could 31
Nashville Superspeedway
June 7
Michigan Worldwide Speedway
June 14
Pocono Raceway
June 21
San Diego
New avenue race, will probably be held on an energetic army base
June 28
Sonoma Raceway
July 5
Chicagoland Speedway
Returns to the schedule for the primary time since 2019
July 12
EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
July 19
North Wilkesboro Speedway
First points-paying Cup race at NWS since 1996
July 26
Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Third crown jewel occasion of the season
OFF-WEEK
OFF-WEEK
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 Worldwide Speedway
Ultimate race of the common season
PLAYOFFS BEGIN
PLAYOFFS BEGIN
PLAYOFFS BEGIN
September 6 [ROUND OF 16]
Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
Fourth crown jewel of the 12 months, and opens the playoffs
September 13 [ROUND OF 16]
WWT Raceway (Gateway)
September 19 [ROUND OF 16]
Bristol Motor Speedway
The Spherical of 16 elimination race
September 27 [ROUND OF 12]
Kansas Speedway
October 4 [ROUND OF 12]
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Strikes from Ro8 to Ro12
October 11 [ROUND OF 12]
Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL
The Spherical of 12 elimination race
October 18 [ROUND OF 8]
Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix opens Ro8 after six years because the season finale
October 25 [ROUND OF 8]
Talladega Superspeedway
November 1 [ROUND OF 8]
Martinsville Speedway
The Spherical of 8 elimination race
November 8 [CHAMPIONSHIP 4]
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead returns because the title-decider for the primary time since 2019
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