NASCAR is putting the finishing touches on its 2027 Cup Series schedule, and early reports point to one of the more significant postseason realignments in recent years. According to industry sources cited by Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic and detailed across several news outlets, three current Chase venues are expected to exit the playoffs while three others move in—potentially leaving some of the sport’s most historic tracks outside the championship hunt for the first time in years.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The changes come just one season after NASCAR returned to its traditional Chase format: 26 regular-season races followed by a 10-race postseason for the top 16 drivers.

Bristol Night Race Returns to Regular Season

The most notable shift involves Bristol Motor Speedway’s popular Night Race. The event, a staple of the playoffs in recent seasons, is expected to move back to a regular-season August date—the same window it occupied from 1976 to 2019 before being elevated to the Chase.

Sources indicate the move helps avoid conflicts with college football (particularly Tennessee Volunteers games) and fits better with the non-elimination structure of the current Chase format.

Darlington and Gateway Also Exit

Darlington Raceway’s Southern 500 and World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) outside St. Louis are also projected to leave the Chase.

Darlington’s Labor Day weekend date remains fixed, but the 2027 calendar is expected to push the Southern 500 into the role of regular-season finale. Gateway’s removal has been reported without a detailed public explanation.

New Chase Tracks: Richmond, New Hampshire, and Watkins Glen

Expected to take their places are:

– Richmond Raceway (Virginia) – A track known for close, strategy-heavy racing that previously hosted Chase events in the late 2010s.
– New Hampshire Motor Speedway – A longtime early-Chase fixture from 2004–2017.
– Watkins Glen International (New York) – Already confirmed to shift to a September date in 2027, placing the road course in one of the earliest Chase slots. This restores road-course racing to the postseason after the Charlotte Roval was removed for 2026.

Tracks expected to remain in the 10-race Chase include Kansas, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Talladega, Martinsville, Phoenix, and Homestead-Miami Speedway, though the exact order has not been finalized.

Beyond the Chase: San Diego, Chicago, and the All-Star Race

Several other high-profile elements are also taking shape:

– San Diego Naval Base Coronado: A return in 2027 is increasingly likely, with an August date anticipated. The inaugural event drew strong industry praise, making a second year highly probable despite typical second-year risks.
– Chicago area: NASCAR is expected to race in the region again. Options under discussion include a purpose-built downtown street course (viewed as more likely) or a return to the Chicagoland Speedway oval in Joliet.
– All-Star Race: North Wilkesboro Speedway is the leading candidate. The short track hosted the exhibition from 2023–2025 before receiving a points-paying race in 2026—its first in nearly 30 years.

Schedule Still Unofficial

NASCAR has not released the official 2027 Cup Series schedule. The process is described as intricate—one change often forces several others—and last-minute adjustments remain possible. Reports suggest an announcement could come in the coming weeks.

These projected moves reflect NASCAR’s ongoing effort to balance tradition, competitive variety, calendar realities, and fan interest while protecting key events from external conflicts. Historic venues such as Bristol and Darlington will still appear on the schedule, just not in the high-stakes Chase window.

Fans and teams will be watching closely for the official release, which will confirm how many of these rumors become reality for the 2027 season.