The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule brings key changes, introducing a new San Diego weekend, reviving Chicagoland Speedway, and granting North Wilkesboro Speedway its first points race in decades. NASCAR confirmed these developments as part of a reshaped racing calendar for the coming season.
San Diego Weekend Launches as National Series Replace Chicago Street Race
In June 2026, NASCAR will premiere its San Diego event, with all three National Series visiting Naval Base Coronado from June 19-21. This addition fills the slot previously occupied by the Chicago Street Race, which will be on hold for the 2026 season but could return in 2027. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule leverages this new venue as a distinct shift for the series and a unique experience for fans in the San Diego area.
Chicagoland Speedway Rejoins the Calendar
Illinois regains its NASCAR Cup Series event with a July 5th race set for Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. This 1.5-mile track joined the schedule in 2001, retained its position through 2019, but saw its 2020 event canceled due to the pandemic. NASCAR had not returned since, making 2026 a welcome homecoming for the regional racing community and fans in Chicago and Joliet.
Dover Motor Speedway Gains All-Star Race as North Wilkesboro Gets Points Event
Dover Motor Speedway in Delaware, hosting NASCAR events since 1969, takes on a new role in 2026 by presenting the All-Star Race for the first time on May 17. In turn, North Wilkesboro Speedway will feature a points-paying Cup Series event on July 19, marking its return for the first time since its closure in 1996. North Wilkesboro Speedway, which was part of the inaugural NASCAR season, lay mostly unused for years except for a handful of events in 2010 and 2011 until efforts such as the Racetrack Revival in August 2022 led to heavy renovation. Hosting the All-Star Race recently, the track now reclaims a full championship event.
Major Playoff and Schedule Changes Across Key Venues
The championship event for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series moves to Homestead-Miami Speedway, with the final race scheduled for November 8. Phoenix Raceway, previously the site of the championship finale, will instead host a Round of 8 Playoff race on October 18. In another shift, New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Cup Series event transitions to the regular season, now set for August 23, just a week before the Daytona International Speedway finale.
Watkins Glen International adjusts to an earlier date, holding its Cup Series race on May 10. Darlington Raceway’s spring event is rescheduled from April to March 22, and Kansas Speedway will host its first race on April 19, moving up from its usual spot in May. These alterations aim to optimize the calendar for weather considerations and logistical flow for drivers, teams, and fans alike.
Broadcast Partners and Anticipated Details
Fans will be able to watch the 2026 Cup Series season on FOX Sports, Prime Video, TNT Sports, and NBC Sports. Details regarding specific broadcast times and networks will be released at a later date.
What These Changes Mean for the Series
The return of Chicagoland Speedway and the debut in San Diego illustrate NASCAR’s effort to maintain regional diversity and appeal to both historic and new audiences. The points race return for North Wilkesboro Speedway, after decades of closure, signifies a successful revival of classic venues. With the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule reshaped in several ways, attention now turns to how these shifts will impact drivers, teams, and the fans as they experience familiar and fresh tracks throughout the year.
