Why NASCAR’s 2026 Cup Schedule Feels More Like Refinement Than Reinvention

JOLIET, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Sweet Heat Toyota, leads the field to turn one after taking the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 17, 2017 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The wait is over. NASCAR released the 2026 schedules for its top three touring series Wednesday and while 2025 was a year of surprises, 2026 looks more like a year of refinement—trading international flair and big experiments for a reshuffled deck of classics, a new San Diego street race on a Navy base, and the long-awaited return of North Wilkesboro as a full points-paying stop.

The stops include tracks where there some winners, losers, and some odd choices of dates. Yes, North Wilkesboro gets a race that actually means something, its first points-paying race since 1996, but at the expense of Dover Motor Speedway a storied track in the annuals of the sport. NASCAR has raced at the 1-mile concrete oval in the First State since 1969 when Richard Petty became the first winner. The track held two races a season until 2021 when it lost a date to Nashville Superspeedway.

Next season, Dover’s lone date becomes the All-Star Race, which, outside of a hefty check, means very little in the bigger picture. But Dale Earnhardt Jr., who helped resurrect North Wilkesboro, isn’t complaining.

“You know I’m a big believer in the value of short track racing and its history in our sport, so to me this is the biggest news on the 2026 schedule,” he said.

Meanwhile Dover reached out to a politician for part of its response.

“Hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race at The Monster Mile is a win for Delaware’s economy and tourism industry,” said Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer. “In 2026, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, fans from across the globe will come here for the thrill of race weekend, discovering our beaches, history, and hospitality along the way.” Ending by dropping a line straight out of Talladega Nights: “And take it from the First State: if you’re not first, you’re last!” And take it from the First State: if you’re not first, you’re last!”

In another curious move, Watkins Glen International, the famous road course long a summer staple, shifts to Mother’s Day. Traditionally that date was reserved for tracks on life support, a last chance before the axe. And in upstate New York, May doesn’t guarantee sunshine. Snow isn’t unheard of, meaning fans might be swapping T-shirts for mittens.

Other shuffles include Atlanta, er, “EchoPark” Speedway, swapping dates with Sonoma. The spring Darlington race moves earlier, replacing Homestead’s spring slot—Homestead in turn closes the season a move we already knew.

Speaking of returns, NASCAR heads back to Chicagoland Speedway in 2026. The Joliet oval lost its date when the pandemic scrapped the 2020 season, and when the 2021 schedules were revealed, it was quietly left behind after hosting Cup races since 2001.

It was already well known that NASCAR’s trip outside the States to Mexico wasn’t going to be happening, and that date is replaced by Pocono.

The former Pocono date will belong to San Diego the race held on the streets of a Navy base that made news when it was announced a few weeks ago. Speaking of street races, NASCAR will return to Chicago, not to race on that city’s streets but in 2026 but at Chicagoland Speedway. The 1.5-mile oval in Joliet was left behind when the pandemic cancelled races everywhere in 2020, and when the 2021 schedules were revealed, the speedway was left behind after hosting NASCAR since 2001.

The overall structure of the Playoffs remains featuring the same familiar mix and will end at Homestead-Miami for the first time since 2019.

At the end of it all, there is no real “wow” in the 2026 schedule. It’s a little Southern California sun, a little more nostalgia, and no need for a passport.

As always, some fans will hate it, some will love it, still others won’t care. But come 2026 at Bowman-Gray Stadium the preseason Clash will kick off the season and at the end of it all a champion will be crowned.

For those haters bemoaning the schedule for next year. As NASCAR has displayed in the last few years the schedules are no longer sealed in concrete, but more a Spotify playlist—one year it’s classic rock, the next it’s EDM, and we are all just along for the ride.