At last, the 2026 NASCAR schedules have been released. Each of the top three national series will see notable and exciting changes next year, and I’m here to break it down and share the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Before we get too far into the nitty gritty, let’s start off with calling a spade a spade. Years ago, the NASCAR schedule would be a virtual carbon copy year after year. Maybe a little shuffling of the deck here and there, but we mostly went to the same tracks on the same dates. There was some benefit to that. The predictability allowed fans who wanted to attend the races in person to plan ahead with near certainty that their dates would be the same each year. It developed a sort of identity, but it also got pretty stale.
For example, from 2008 to 2009, 33 of the 36 Cup Series events stayed in the exact same place in the same order. The only three differences were a shuffling of EchoPark Speedway (formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway), Auto Club Speedway (rest in peace) and Talladega Superspeedway. There were no new tracks introduced. No venues gained or lost any races. The schedule was largely unchanged. Fast forward to today and it’s a much different story.
In a classic “you spoke, we listened” theme, NASCAR has begun to really mix up the schedule over the last few years, and should be applauded for that. It builds more anticipation for the next schedule. As we sit here today (Aug 21), we still have nearly six months lead time before next season begins, which should provide more than enough time for fans to plan their trips and time-off requests.
Most people agree keeping the schedule fresh is a good thing. But now that we have the schedules, what are the highlights, lowlights and head scratchers?
A bold new mission, a triumphant return and plenty of full-throttle thrills.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 20, 2025
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is here! pic.twitter.com/WlACzioY2S
New look. Same excitement.
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 20, 2025
This is the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule! pic.twitter.com/WfKDAjb9jr
From the tracks to the streets, our Truckers do it all.
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) August 20, 2025
Here is your 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule! pic.twitter.com/xgVycNsq7C
The Good
Ever since the untimely demise of Auto Club Speedway, there’s been a gaping hole in one of the nation’s largest markets: Southern California. NASCAR attempted to address this for a few years with the Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but reviews of that event were generally mixed to negative.
Now, in arguably the biggest splash of the whole schedule, NASCAR will head to San Diego for a street course race at Naval Base Coronado. This was announced nearly a month ago, but the confirmation of all three major national series forming a tripleheader weekend was great to see. These events may or may not produce excellent racing, but you’ve got to appreciate the novel idea, and it’s hard to find a cooler backdrop.
While San Diego provides a novel and patriotic twist, the scheudle also gave a hat tip to the purists and old-timers, with the return to North Wilkesboro. Yes its true we’ve been there the last few years, but in 2026 it will be an official point-paying race. If you would’ve said 10 years ago that this would be happening, nobody would believe it. As the new surface has started to age a bit, the racing there has seemed to improve each year. NASCAR and Goodyear’s collaboration to creat softer tires will continue to enhance the product there.Chicagoland Speedway is back! While the Chicago street course created some memorable moments and great racing, it was marred by weather and logistical challenges. It won’t be back in 2026 but could return in the future according to reports and statements from public officials. With the return of Chicagoland, the sport will remain in the greater Chicago area, and fans can get a taste of NASCAR without the congestion of the big city (and without the right turns). The Next Gen car has had notorious struggles at some tracks, but common thought is that the intermediate tracks do tend to put on a great show, and Chicagoland will get a chance to showcase what it can do for the first time since 2019.
How about taking a page out of the NTT Indycar Series playbook … for the Craftman Truck Series? The truckers will hit the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Feb. 28, definitely a surprise. It remains to be seen how the trucks will fare on the twists and turns of the Gulf Coast, but kudos for trying something new. The full 2026 IndyCar schedule has not been revealed as of this writing, but per the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg’s website, IndyCar is set to headline that weekend, allowing fans to scratch the itch for both NASCAR and IndyCar action.
The Bad
It’s not all sunshine and roses. With the addition of new venues, some have disappeared from the schedule. Others that many wanted to see return will have to wait at least one more year. The Pacific Northwest is again being ghosted by NASCAR as the rare Xfinity Series (soon to be the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) standalone event will not return after being there since 2022.
Why no Portland? What a joke
— powerfan12 (@12powerfan12) August 20, 2025
Along the lines of Chicagoland, some have asked for a return to Kentucky Speedway, where the Next Gen car would have a great opportunity to shine. The Bluegrass State will not have a race this year. No NASCAR races have been held there since 2020. Yes, I’m aware of the logistical and parking issues, but the racing would be fantastic with this current Cup car, and that’s not the case everywhere.
Badger State NASCAR fans have had a rough few years, having gone from a Cup race at Road America, to an Xfinity standalone race, to a Truck Series race at the Milwaukee Mile, to … nothing. Fortunately, Iowa Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway are within a reasonable driving distance for most Wisconsinites.
International fans will not get any races this year. Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City proved to be a one-off until further notice. Some speculated the sport could return to Canada at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, but there will be no international events in 2026 among the three major series.
The Ugly
The schedules are already jam packed, with no room to add more dates, and the reality is that you can’t make everyone happy. But a few of these changes beg the question: Could there have been a better way?
Dover Motor Speedway will maintain its Xfinity and Truck events, but will lose its Cup points race for … the All-Star Race? This is an odd pairing. The Next Gen car hasn’t had very good racing at the Monster Mile, and the venue doesn’t have lights. The All-Star Race has traditionally been a nighttime event, but it’s also been pretty lackluster. Some have speculated that temporary lighting could be used for a night race, but NASCAR’s Ben Kennedy said the event will “more than likely be a day race.” Hey, maybe we’ll be pleasantly surprised, but this track has now gone from two Cup dates to one. From 500 miles to 400 miles. And now, from a points race to an exhibition race. Ouch.
Ben Kennedy says more than likely the All Star Race at Dover will be a day race.#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/H8qwLWlDeU
— Bryan Nolen (@TheBryanNolen) August 20, 2025
Your humble author was devastated to see the Xfinity Series is returning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2026. Not that I have a problem with the track, far from it. Its a legendary venue, and I’m glad the secondary series drivers and teams get the opportunity to race it. At the same time, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is right there begging for an Xfinity race. The series has utilized a reduced horsepower package at the Brickyard, which has led to some exciting moments, but IRP just feels like it was made for the Xfinity Series. This is a big miss, and I’ll continue to beat the drum on this for 2027 and beyond. I actually think even the Cup Series should rotate between the Brickyard, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and IRP.
Did anyone catch the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this year? It was one of the best races we’ve seen in years. One of the most obvious changes that could’ve been made would’ve been to switch the Charlotte fall races from the ROVAL to the oval. People have been asking for this for a while now, and with the instant classic we saw this year, it seemed like a no-brainer.
Who keeps putting the Roval on the Schedule
— Mothman Enthusiast (@mothmanviewer) August 20, 2025
The ROVAL has been OK, but it should be something that rotates on and off, emphasis on the off. Keep things fresh by bringing it back every five years or so, but there is no good reason why we can’t get two Charlotte oval races in 2026. Perhaps the powers-that-be didn’t want to pull back dramatically on road course racing, as they’re already going from six Cup races with right hand turns to five. Maybe Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch got a vote, and it makes sense to have at least one road course in the playoffs. No excuse in my book. The second Charlotte race should be on the oval.
The Verdict
Overall, I’d give the 2026 NASCAR schedules a “B” grade. That isn’t bad, and it will have to be good enough. If you’ve made it this far, I know you’ll be tuning in even if your grade is a little lower. Let’s remember, the championship race has been moved back to Homestead-Miami Speedway for a vintage triple-header weekend, something most fans have been wanting for a while. Chicagoland is back, North Wilkesboro has a points race, and we’re racing at a freakin’ naval base in San Diego. There’s a lot of good here.
So keep raising your voices about the things you want to see on the schedule. On this topic at least, its clear the brass is listening.
Steve Leffew joined Frontstretch in 2023 and covers the Xfinity Series. He has served honorably in the United States Air Force and and lives in Wisconsin.