NASCAR released its 2026 schedules for the Cup, O'Reilly Auto Parts (formerly Xfinity) and Craftsman Truck Series on 20 August 2025, confirming a mix of returning historic venues and bold new additions. Chicagoland Speedway returns to the Cup Series slate on 5 July 2026 after last hosting a points race in 2019, while North Wilkesboro Speedway rejoins with a points-paying Cup race on 19 July 2026, its first since 1996, having spent recent years hosting the All-Star Race exhibition.
The All-Star Race itself moves to Dover Motor Speedway for 17 May 2026, and NASCAR Championship Weekend returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway on 8 November 2026 for all three national series. A new street circuit at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego was also confirmed, timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, with a Cup race held there on 21 June 2026.
NASCAR executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer Ben Kennedy said the schedule demonstrates the series' continued innovation with a strong mix of beloved venues and exciting new and returning racetracks.
We cover NASCAR's scheduling decisions at African Grand Prix because they illustrate how major series balance heritage venues with expansion markets, a process relevant to any future African round on the F1, Formula E or WEC calendars.
Source: NASCAR.com.
Original source: NASCAR.com — https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2025/08/20/nascar-releases-2026-schedule-adding-chicagoland-and-shifting-all-star-to-dover/
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