Alex Bowman praises NASCAR schedule changes as the organization embarks on an ambitious course to keep the sport exciting for drivers and fans alike. Through venue rotations and the incorporation of both historic and brand-new tracks, NASCAR is aiming to broaden its appeal while addressing calls to break free from a repetitive circuit lineup.
Officials across the NASCAR Cup Series have sought ways to maintain momentum in the sport, especially as fans and teams push for innovative approaches to race weekends. Trackhouse Racing, for instance, has championed the integration of international talent, expanding the definition of the sport’s elite. Meanwhile, NASCAR leadership has taken direct steps to reshape the season’s schedule, rotating established venues, revisiting legendary circuits, and adding entirely new destinations to the calendar.
This strategy has reinvigorated the competition for drivers such as Alex Bowman, who had previously grown tired of seeing the same set of tracks year in and year out. Expressing his support during a recent appearance on Chasing Checkers with Chase McCabe, Bowman highlighted the positive impact of the evolving schedule:
“I think that’s a really good thing. I think our schedule was the same for so long that I guess you could say it got a little bit stale. So, I think just continuing to change it up, go to new places, kind of rearrange it a little bit, I think it’s a really good thing.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Bowman further emphasized the importance of diversity in race venues, saying,
“Hopefully, we continue to add more new places going forward. I think that’s important for our sport to go to new places and not go to the same 15 tracks twice a year forever, right? Like we want to go to different places and kind of change it up. There’s so many great racetracks in the country and around the world. So, there’s definitely a lot of cool places that we can go race.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
NASCAR’s Push for New Racing Destinations
In 2023, NASCAR took a significant step toward innovation with the debut of the Chicago Street Race, attracting strong viewership and showcasing the talents of racers like Shane van Gisbergen. This move into major city streets represented a bold experiment, and its success encouraged the sport to venture even further—the 2024 season saw a historic return to racing in Mexico City for the first time in over 60 years, drawing robust audience engagement and confirming the appetite for fresh race formats.
These bold changes have not only revitalized fan interest but have energized the driver lineup, bringing excitement to both the garage and NASCAR’s broader stakeholder community. Such developments have been positively received by drivers and officials alike, marking a clear departure from previous eras characterized by an unchanging schedule.
Plans for Philadelphia and Southern California
Building on impressive attendance numbers at Pocono Raceway, NASCAR is actively considering an expansion eastward into Philadelphia, a move that could bring the series within two hours of the iconic Tricky Triangle. Addressing future possibilities, NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell commented on the ongoing plans:
“Pocono has delivered for us in terms of fans, but when you look at opportunities, one of the places we looked was Franklin Field.”
—Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President
Franklin Field stands out as a candidate because of its urban location and history, being the oldest operational college football stadium in the United States and the home of the Penn Quakers. Its Olympic-style design offers an adaptable space for potential temporary track construction, which is pivotal in NASCAR’s exploration of new city venues. O’Donnell has clarified that, while promising, discussions are still preliminary.
Meanwhile, NASCAR is turning attention to Southern California, exploring the addition of a street course in the San Diego area for the upcoming season. This would fulfill the sport’s aim to establish a modern presence in the region after the closure of California Speedway in Fontana in 2023. While the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum hosted three years of high-profile exhibition racing, NASCAR’s last points-paying event in Southern California took place in 2024, with the Fontana circuit closing its doors soon after. Bringing a new race to San Diego is expected to make waves not only among local fans but also throughout the industry.
Significance for the Sport’s Future
NASCAR’s willingness to test new formats and settings is reshaping the identity of stock car racing in the United States and beyond. By listening to drivers like Alex Bowman and taking bold steps to diversify the competitive calendar, the organization is working to ensure that both fans and participants remain engaged. The push for new venues in Philadelphia and San Diego, alongside international ventures like Mexico City, illustrates an enduring commitment to growth and innovation—one that stands to influence the next generation of NASCAR fans and elevate the sport’s presence on the global stage.
