NASCAR has officially released the 2026 Cup Series schedule, and excitement is in the air. While the 2025 Cup Series playoffs are about to be underway, NASCAR fans, drivers, teams, and more are thrilled to find out where races will take place next year. So, what are some of the big takeaways from the schedule reveal?
Below, we dive into five big takeaways after NASCAR released the 2026 Cup Series schedule!
NASCAR loses one road course date for 2026
NASCAR is making its long-awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway in 2026; however, it comes without the Chicago Street Course. The sport won’t compete on the Streets of Chicago next season, but the door is still open for a return in 2027. Due to the switch, NASCAR will decrease its road course races from six to five events.
Six seems like the perfect number of road course events, so hopefully, NASCAR can increase the number in 2027.
Talladega keeps questionable spot in the Round of 8
Talladega Superspeedway will be the second race in the Round of 8 in 2025, and it won’t be changing next year. If the NASCAR playoff format doesn’t change, which seems up in the air, Talladega determining who makes the Championship 4 is very questionable. The racing might be entertaining, but does it really determine the best four drivers?
There is nothing against Talladega, but NASCAR might be better off moving this wild-card event to the Round of 12 in 2027.
North Wilkesboro earns first Cup points race since 1996
North Wilkesboro Speedway returned to the NASCAR schedule in 2023 as the All-Star Race; however, it has received a massive boost. The track will host its first Cup Series points race since 1996, which will be 30 years ago next season. The racing at North Wilkesboro has been tremendous since the repave, and this is a very deserving upgrade.
Dover Motor Speedway will replace North Wilkesboro as the host of the NASCAR All-Star Race, but the event likely won’t occur at night since the track has no lights.
Dirt racing absent from the NASCAR schedule for a third year
The Cup Series last competed on a dirt track in 2023 at Bristol Motor Speedway, and it won’t be making a return next year. The 2027 NASCAR season will represent the third straight campaign without a Cup Series dirt race. It is fair to wonder if/when the sport will return to dirt racing, but there doesn’t seem to be much public momentum.
NASCAR benefits from having dirt racing on the schedule, but it needs to make sense for everyone involved.
NASCAR playoff format unlikely to have 3-race final round
NASCAR may change the playoff format for the 2026 Cup Series season, but don’t expect a three-race final round. Since Talladega is the second race in the Round of 8 right now, a three-round championship would start at the venue. Since NASCAR doesn’t want a superspeedway to determine the champion, it would be shocking to see a three-race finale in 2026.
The possibility of a tweaked NASCAR playoff format is alive, but don’t expect a three-race round to determine the Cup Series champion.