![\"NASCAR](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2235295146-scaled.jpg\")
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\n Bristol\u2019s popular night race is likely to move back to a regular-season August date. (Jared C. Tilton \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A return trip to San Diego?<\/p>\n
NASCAR\u2019s first foray into racing on an active military base, June\u2019s event on Naval Base Coronado, earned widespread praise across the industry. This was particularly true amongst teams, not always easy to please, who were largely happy with the logistics surrounding the event and sponsor interest in the Southern California market.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is increasingly likely that in 2027 NASCAR will again stage a race at the base, even with the risk of diminished returns in the second year of the spectacle. At this point, it would be highly unlikely for NASCAR not to go back \u2014 though the race date is anticipated to be in August.<\/p>\n
Where in the Windy City?<\/p>\n
NASCAR will be racing somewhere in the Chicago area next year, though it is still being sorted out whether it is on a purpose-built street course downtown, at the Chicagoland Speedway oval in Joliet, Ill., or both \u2014 with the last option considered less likely.<\/p>\n
As The Athletic reported in mid-May<\/a>, the league and the city of Chicago had highly productive negotiations that had both sides feeling confident NASCAR would be back racing in downtown after a one-year hiatus. (The league raced there from 2023 to 2025.) This was followed by the Chicago Tribune reporting<\/a> in early June that NASCAR would return.<\/p>\n Nothing has been finalized, however, as funding for the event remains an issue. If NASCAR and the city of Chicago agree to terms, expect the Chicago Street Race to be slotted in during Amazon Prime\u2019s June portion of the schedule, where it would be positioned as a signature event.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n NASCAR\u2019s Chicago Street Race still has a chance to return after a one-year hiatus. (James Gilbert \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Which track will land the All-Star Race?\u00a0<\/p>\n Dover Motor Speedway will not host the non-points All-Star Race for a second consecutive year, with the track expected to have a points-paying race in 2027 \u2014 just as it did from 1969-2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n How to accommodate Dover\u2019s points race has been a challenge that has seen NASCAR and track owner Speedway Motorsports evaluate numerous options. One of those is a potential date swap in which NASCAR would get the SM-controlled All-Star Race and Dover would get a points date from NASCAR\u2019s inventory. But the idea was tabled, putting the onus on SM to decide where it wants the All-Star Race next year.<\/p>\n North Wilkesboro Speedway is considered the leading candidate to host the All-Star Race, based on talks with our industry sources, as it did from 2023-2025 before it was then awarded a points race for this season, its first in 30 years. The exact reasoning behind this decision is unclear, but SM\u2019s portfolio has limited viable options. Giving the All-Star Race back to the track that made its Cup Series return via the event, rather than taking a points race away from another track, is likely SM\u2019s cleanest path.<\/p>\n Rockingham facing uncertain future<\/p>\n Although Rockingham Speedway is no longer technically a Cup track, its future is worth including here.<\/p>\n The resurrection Rockingham has experienced over the past two years has been a welcome development, with the once-dormant track hosting races for the O\u2019Reilly and Truck Series. These races were widely popular, and the track looked to be on course to host its first Cup race since 2004.<\/p>\n![\"Bubba](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2223866640-scaled.jpg\")
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