The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule has been revealed as Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic obtained the “final version.” The season will have 38 races (36 points races and two non-points races) and will open with the Clash on Feb. 1, 2006. The 2026 Daytona 500 will be on Feb. 15, and the Championship finale will be at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8, 2026.
There are some big changes when it comes to locations. NASCAR will not return to Mexico City or the Chicago Street Course next year. Instead, the drivers will compete at a street circuit constructed at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, and they will return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, after a six-year absence. NASCAR previously announced the San Diego race, but have yet to officially announce Chicagoland.
Bianchi mentioned more changes to the schedule. For Watkins Glen, the race is shifting from its traditional August date to Mother’s Day Weekend in May. Additionally, New Hampshire Motor Speedway has moved out of the playoffs due to Homestead being added in.
And unlike this year, the 2026 season will have a second weekend off, which will come in early August. After having a weekend off in April of this year (April 20), the drivers will have competed in 28 consecutive weekends to end the season.
More on the NASCAR 2026 schedule
There were concerns that NASCAR wouldn’t return to Iowa Speedway. However, Bianchi said that it’s back on the schedule, and the race will happen on Sunday, Aug. 9. The All-Star Race has a new location, as it will be held at Dover. It has been at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the last three seasons.
The off weekends will be on April 5 (Easter) and Aug. 2. After Daytona, the drivers will compete at Atlanta (Feb. 22), COTA (March 1), Phoenix (March 8), Las Vegas (March 15), Darlington (March 22) and Martinsville (March 29).
Phoenix has previously hosted the Cup Series Championship race. But with Homestead taking over, the second Phoenix race will be the first race in the Round of Eight of the playoffs. NASCAR will likely announce the 2026 schedule later this week.
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