NASCAR unveils 2026 Cup schedule with street race, Wilkesboro return

NASCAR unveiled its 2026 Cup Series schedule with a bold mix of fresh venues, restored classics, and strategic shifts that aim to sharpen the sport’s competitive edge while expanding its footprint. Highlights include a San Diego street race on a Naval Base, the return of Chicagoland Speedway, North Wilkesboro’s first points race since 1996, and the All-Star Race moving to Dover, with Homestead-Miami Speedway hosting the championship finale. Mexico City and the Chicago Street Race are off the docket for 2026, and Watkins Glen has shifted to May, creating a calendar designed to balance tradition, innovation and logistical realities.

The centerpiece of the year is a calendar that blends marquee nostalgia with new challenges. The San Diego Coronado street course debuts on June 21, giving NASCAR its first U.S. road course street race in decades. Chicagoland Speedway returns to Joliet on July 5 after a six-year absence, while North Wilkesboro Speedway earns its first full points race since 1996 on July 19. The finale moves back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, a shift that mirrors a broader strategy to rotate championship venues and boost regional appeal. In a related move,...