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The All-Star race held at North Wilkesboro Speedway the past three years, may be moving to Dover

Like any year, NASCAR teams and fans await the new season schedule reveal at a high alert.

The word is next year’s schedule will be revealed near the end of August. On the August 6 episode of the “Hauler Talk” Podcast, co-host Mike Forde , Managing Director of Race Communications for NASCAR, shared it would most likely happen in about three weeks. With that said, the date of August 24 will be met with high expectations.

As always, “Schedule Speculation Syndrome” is whipping up with many revelations, and some new possibilities.

Heavy.com has learned from several NASCAR team members and internal sources of changes to possibly look out for in 2026.

All-Star Race to Dover, North Wilkesboro Becomes Points Race

Now, here’s where the information trickling through the track garages gets interesting.  Talk has been the All-Star Race will leave North Wilkesboro Speedway and go to Dover Motor Speedway. Both entities are owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

There has been a clamoring for NWS to get a points race since it’s return from abandonment in 2023 when it hosted the All-Star Race and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

What We Know

The Chicago Street Course race is out after three years. Being held on the Fourth of July Holiday weekend may have been a factor, the cost of building the track and the inconvenience to residents may have all been contributed to the decision.

According to a letter after this year’s race from Julie Guise, president of the event, to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, the hope is revamp the race and return to the Windy City streets in 2027.

“Our goal is for the Chicago Street Race to return in 2027 with an event that further enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike,” it stated. “We’re working together towards a new potential date, shorter build schedule and additional tourism draws.”

Not wanting to leave the market, look for Chicagoland Speedway to make a return next year. The 1.5-mile track was last used by NASCAR in 2019, a move Hall of Fame driver and Xfinity Series team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. approves.

“I think that getting Chicagoland back is going to cost some money,” he said on his Dale Jr. Download Podcast. “It’s gonna take five to 10 million dollars to get that track back together and get everything fixed up and cleaned up and ready to go.

“But I think it’ll put on a hell of a show and it’s going to be slick and worn out. Oh, it’s gonna be so abrasive. So it should be pretty awesome, they’ll be all over the place.”

Ahoy, NASCAR to Race on a Naval Base

Already confirmed was the NCS visiting the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, CA. They will utilize the base property an a yet-to-be determined layout. In theory, this replaces the Chicago event.

All three NASCAR Series will compete the weekend of June 19 to 21, 2026.

The Rock Making a Return

After a successful Xfinity and Truck Series return to Rockingham Speedway this year, the probability of the track being added to the NCS schedule has been sought.

The NXS and NCTS return to Rockingham were a huge success, which was promoted by Track Enterprises in conjunction with Spire Motorsports. A damper to adding a NCS race and return of the other two series happening took place two months after the event when the track owner, Rockingham Properties, LLC, announced the track was for sale.

 

 

Tim Packman Tim Packman is a journalist for Heavy.com covering NASCAR. He grew up around the short tracks of Western New York watching his dad, stepdad and step brother race. His uncle was the head starter at many area tracks and member of the FOAR Score Hall of Fame.

Tim’s passion for racing took him to the announcer’s tower and writing program stores for multiple tracks in the area. In 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC to become an award-winning journalist for NASCAR.com. He took a job with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the team’s Communications Director and was part of two Daytona 500 wins and two NASCAR Championships.

The announcing experience led to becoming a Pit Reporter and News Director for MRN Radio. A return to the team side at Richard Childress Racing as the Director of Corporate Communications took place, which also included another Championship.

From 2015 to 2018, Tim returned to where his career began in 1994 – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway – as the Track President. He earned Short Track Promoter of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017.

Upon returning to NC, he joined The Garage Shop as Communications Director and host of it’s Podcast and MAV-TV docuseries “Legacy of Speed” talking about Land Speed Racing at Bonneville, and other places.

Tim has hosted two other Podcasts, namely “Pub Table Racers,” and wrote three books. One was with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison titled, “Bobby Allison, a Racer’s Racer” and two Children’s books, “Funny Dan the Race Car Man” and “Petey the Pace Car.”

He also served in the US Navy. More about Tim Packman

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