Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin suggested on Tuesday morning that the 2026 NASCAR schedule could be released early, following the report that NASCAR was lining up buyers to sell the charters previously used by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. He was right.
Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic obtained the 2026 Cup Series schedule ahead of its release later this week, just before the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Many of the rumored schedule changes that leaked earlier in the summer were proven correct.
Related: Denny Hamlin Reacts to NASCAR Moving All-Star Race
| Date | Track | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Feb. 1 | Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 15 | Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 22 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, March 1 | Circuit of the Americas (COTA) | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, March 8 | Phoenix Raceway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, March 15 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, March 22 | Darlington Raceway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, March 29 | Martinsville Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, April 12 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, April 19 | Kansas Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, April 26 | Talladega Superspeedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, May 3 | Texas Motor Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, May 10 | Watkins Glen International | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, May 17 | All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway | FOX/FS1 |
| Sunday, May 24 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Amazon Prime Video |
| Sunday, May 31 | Nashville Superspeedway | Amazon Prime Video |
| Sunday, June 7 | Michigan International Speedway | Amazon Prime Video |
| Sunday, June 14 | Pocono Raceway | Amazon Prime Video |
| Sunday, June 21 | San Diego Street Race – Naval Base Coronado | Amazon Prime Video |
| Sunday, June 28 | Sonoma Raceway | TNT |
| Sunday, July 5 | Chicagoland Speedway | TNT |
| Sunday, July 12 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | TNT |
| Sunday, July 19 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | TNT |
| Sunday, July 26 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | TNT |
| Sunday, Aug. 9 | Iowa Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Saturday, Aug. 15 | Richmond Raceway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Aug. 23 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | Daytona International Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | Round of 16 – Darlington Raceway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Sept. 13 | Round of 16 – World Wide Technology Raceway | NBC/USA |
| Saturday, Sept. 19 | Round of 16 – Bristol Motor Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | Round of 12 – Kansas Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Oct. 4 | Round of 12 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Oct. 11 | Round of 12 – Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Oct. 18 | Round of 8 – Phoenix Raceway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Oct. 25 | Round of 8 – Talladega Superspeedway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Nov. 1 | Round of 8 – Martinsville Speedway | NBC/USA |
| Sunday, Nov. 8 | Championship – Homestead-Miami Speedway | NBC/USA |
Read More: NASCAR Considering Major Rule Change that Drivers Want
Among the most notable changes, NASCAR is moving away from both the Chicago Street Race and Mexico City. In their place, next season’s street race will be held at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California, while Chicagoland will return as the host of NASCAR’s Fourth of July Weekend race.
In addition, North Wilkesboro Speedway is getting a points race for the first time in 30 years, and as Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested, it will be broadcast on TNT. Speaking of broadcast partners for 2026, Amazon Prime Video will once again have five summer races, including the Coca-Cola 600 and the San Diego Street Race at Coronado.
Related: 8 Big Changes NASCA Should Make for 2026 Season, including Playoff Format
As for changes fans won’t be happy about, Dover Motor Speedway is losing its points race and instead will host the All-Star Race. Both drivers and fans have voiced that Dover is not suited for the short runs the All-Star format is known for. It’s also unclear whether NASCAR will add temporary lights for a potential night event, as Dover currently lacks track lighting due to the nearby Dover Air Force Base.
Additionally, Cup Series drivers and teams will receive two off weeks in the 2026 NASCAR schedule: Easter weekend (April 4-5) and the first weekend in August (Aug. 1-2), following the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Lastly, the one-race NASCAR Championship format will reportedly remain in place for 2026, but the finale will move from Phoenix Raceway to Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Related: NASCAR Schedule 2025
