After weeks of speculation and leaks swirling across social media, NASCAR fans finally have clarity: the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is officially here — and yes, the rumors were true.
The biggest bombshell? The NASCAR All-Star Race is on the move again. After two seasons at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the annual exhibition will head to Dover Motor Speedway next year, marking the first time the event has ever been run at the Monster Mile.
Key Changes for 2026
While most of the schedule remains familiar, there are several notable shakeups that fans will want to circle on their calendars:
1. Dover Lands the All-Star Race
Rumors started circulating last week, and now it’s official: Dover will host the All-Star Race on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The move isn’t about fan demand or track history — it comes down to ownership. Both Dover and North Wilkesboro are owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI), and SMI has been vocal about wanting a points-paying race at North Wilkesboro.
To make that happen, the All-Star Race had to find a new home, and Dover was the answer.
But here’s the catch: Dover doesn’t currently have lights. That means the All-Star Race will run during the day for the first time in years, raising concerns about weather delays and a potential loss of the electric atmosphere that comes with night racing.
2. North Wilkesboro Gets Its Cup Points Race
The trade-off for fans of short-track racing is that North Wilkesboro will officially host a points-paying Cup Series raceon Sunday, July 19, 2026.
This will mark the first time the historic track has hosted a regular-season Cup event since 1996, making it one of the most anticipated races on next year’s calendar.
3. Watkins Glen Moves to May
One of the biggest surprises is the decision to move Watkins Glen International from its traditional August slot to May 10, just one week before the All-Star Race.
The shift means Watkins Glen will serve as an early-season wildcard, potentially affecting playoff positioning much earlier than usual. While some fans are excited about the shake-up, many traditionalists feel like moving the Glen out of late summer “just feels wrong.”
4. Chicagoland Returns, Mexico City Out
As previously announced, Chicagoland Speedway returns to the schedule on July 5, replacing this year’s race in Mexico City.
The change keeps NASCAR in the valuable Chicago market while also reducing the number of road course races on the schedule from six to five — a relief for fans frustrated with the Next Gen car’s lackluster performance on road courses.
5. Season Finale Back at Homestead
After several years of fan complaints about lackluster championship races at Phoenix, NASCAR is returning the season finale to Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
This move has already been widely praised, as Homestead’s multi-groove racing consistently produces thrilling championship battles.
Fewer Road Courses, More Intermediate Racing
Another subtle but significant change is the overall track balance. With Chicagoland replacing Mexico City, the Cup Series drops from six road course races to five.
This shift reflects fan feedback and performance data showing that the Next Gen car struggles on road courses but consistently delivers better racing on intermediate tracks like Kansas, Michigan, and Chicagoland.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While the move to Dover for the All-Star Race will undoubtedly generate debate, NASCAR’s 2026 schedule balances tradition with experimentation. The return of Chicagoland, the addition of a North Wilkesboro points race, and the long-awaited finale at Homestead create plenty of excitement heading into the season.
However, the success of this schedule hinges on one thing: NASCAR fixing the Next Gen car’s performance on short tracks and road courses. Without that, even the most anticipated races risk falling flat.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule Highlights
- Feb. 15 – Daytona 500
- May 10 – Watkins Glen
- May 17 – Dover (All-Star Race)
- July 5 – Chicagoland Speedway returns
- July 19 – North Wilkesboro Cup points race debut
- Nov. 8 – Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway
NASCAR 2026 Cup Series Schedule
Sunday, Feb. 1 – Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
Sunday, Feb. 15 – Daytona
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Atlanta
Sunday, March 1 – Circuit of the Americas
Sunday, March 8 – Phoenix
Sunday, March 15 – Las Vegas
Sunday, March 22 – Darlington
Sunday, March 29 – Martinsville
Sunday, April 12 – Bristol
Sunday, April 19 – Kansas
Sunday, April 26 – Talladega
Sunday, May 3 – Texas
Sunday, May 10 – Watkins Glen
Sunday, May 17 – Dover (All-Star Race)
Sunday, May 24 – Charlotte
Sunday, May 31 – Nashville
Sunday, June 7 – Michigan
Sunday, June 14 – Pocono
Sunday, June 21 – San Diego
Sunday, June 28 – Sonoma
Sunday, July 5 – Chicagoland
Sunday, July 12 – Atlanta
Sunday, July 19 – North Wilkesboro
Sunday, July 26 – Indianapolis
Sunday, Aug. 9 – Iowa
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Richmond
Sunday, Aug. 23 – New Hampshire
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Daytona
Start of Playoffs
Sunday, Sept. 6 – Darlington
Sunday, Sept. 13 – Gateway
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Bristol
Sunday, Sept. 27 – Kansas
Sunday, Oct. 4 – Las Vegas
Sunday, Oct. 11 – Charlotte Roval
Sunday, Oct. 18 – Phoenix
Sunday, Oct. 25 – Talladega
Sunday, Nov. 1 – Martinsville
Sunday, Nov. 8 – Homestead Miami
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