The 2026 NASCAR Schedule: A Glorious Mess of Triumphs and Face-Plants

Ah, it’s that magical time of year again. No, not Christmas, but the annual unveiling of the NASCAR schedule. It’s the moment when race fans across the nation hold their breath, hoping their favorite track wasn’t unceremoniously axed while simultaneously praying for some fresh, exciting changes. Well, the 2026 schedule has officially dropped, and let’s just say it’s a wild ride of brilliant ideas, baffling decisions, and moments that make you wonder what they’re smoking over at headquarters.

So, buckle up. We’re about to dive into the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of what NASCAR is serving up for 2026.

The Good: NASCAR Actually Listened for Once

Let’s start with the positives, because believe it or not, there are quite a few. It seems like the folks in charge finally pulled their heads out of the sand and listened to some fan feedback. Remember the old days? The schedule was as predictable as a sunrise, a carbon copy year after year that was getting seriously stale. Now, we’ve got some spice.

First up, the biggest news: NASCAR is invading San Diego! That’s right, a street course at Naval Base Coronado. After the mixed bag that was the L.A. Coliseum “Clash,” this is a bold and frankly, awesome move. A tripleheader weekend with a backdrop of warships? Sign me up. It’s got that perfect blend of novelty and patriotic flair that could be a huge win.

But wait, there’s more for the traditionalists. North Wilkesboro is getting a points race! For years, this was a pipe dream. Now, the iconic track is back in a meaningful way. The racing there has been improving, and this move feels like a genuine nod to the sport’s roots. Plus, Chicagoland Speedway is back from the dead! After being off the schedule since 2019, this intermediate track gets another shot to prove its worth, especially with the Next Gen car, which tends to shine on these types of ovals.

And in a move that nobody saw coming, the Craftsman Truck Series is going street racing in St. Petersburg alongside IndyCar. It’s a wonderfully weird idea, and I’m here for it. Trying new things is how a sport grows, and this is certainly… new.

The Bad: Where’s the Love for Everyone Else?

Of course, with every new addition comes a subtraction. You can’t please everyone, but some of these cuts sting. The Pacific Northwest, once again, gets the cold shoulder. The standalone Xfinity race in Portland? Gone. It feels like NASCAR just forgot an entire region of the country exists.

Fans in the Bluegrass State are also left out in the cold, as Kentucky Speedway remains off the schedule. Sure, it had its issues, but many believe the Next Gen car would put on a killer show there. And Wisconsin fans? They’ve been on a rollercoaster from a Cup race at Road America, to Xfinity, to Trucks, and now… absolutely nothing. Ouch. On the bright side, at least they can drive to Iowa or Chicago, right? Right?

And for the international fans, don’t hold your breath. No races in Mexico City or Canada for 2026. It’s a bit of a letdown after the brief flirtation with expanding the sport’s global reach.

The Ugly: Some Decisions Just Don’t Make Sense

Now we get to the part that makes you scratch your head and sigh. The real head-scratchers.

Let’s talk about Dover. The Monster Mile is losing its points-paying Cup race… for the All-Star Race. An exhibition race. At a track where the Next Gen car has produced less-than-stellar racing. Oh, and it doesn’t have lights, so the traditionally nighttime event will likely be a day race. This feels like a demotion of epic proportions for a legendary track.

Then there’s the Charlotte ROVAL. We just witnessed one of the best Coca-Cola 600 races on the oval in recent memory. The fans have been begging for the fall race to return to the oval. So what does NASCAR do? They keep the ROVAL. It’s a perfectly fine track, but the clamor for another oval race at Charlotte was deafening, and it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. It’s a massive missed opportunity.

The 2026 NASCAR schedule is a mixed bag, to say the least. There’s a lot to be genuinely excited about, from a patriotic street race in San Diego to the triumphant return of classic tracks. But it’s also filled with puzzling choices that leave entire fanbases feeling neglected.

So, while we can applaud NASCAR for taking some big swings, we also have to call them out on the misses. At least one thing is clear: they are listening, even if it’s selectively. So keep making noise, race fans. Maybe by 2027, they’ll get it just right. Or, you know, they’ll give us a race on the moon. At this point, I wouldn’t rule anything out.