NASCAR unveiled its 2026 Cup Series schedule recently, drawing sharp criticism from Denny Hamlin, a prominent driver in the sport. Hamlin expressed his dissatisfaction with the schedule changes, reflecting growing unrest within the NASCAR community regarding the upcoming season’s race lineup and venues.
Major Changes in the 2026 NASCAR Schedule Stir Debate
The 2026 calendar introduces several notable adjustments that have sparked controversy. The All-Star race is now set for Dover Motor Speedway, while North Wilkesboro Speedway returns with a points-paying event. Watkins Glen International’s race has been moved from August to May, and the schedule features two off weekends instead of one. A significant replacement occurs as the Chicago street race is cancelled and substituted with a race at the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. Finally, in a considerable shift, the championship race is moving to Homestead-Miami Speedway, ending Phoenix Raceway’s run as the finale since 2020.
Denny Hamlin Expresses Strong Disapproval of Schedule Changes
Hamlin voiced his frustrations during a media session at Daytona International Speedway ahead of weekend events. He assigned the new schedule a grade of D plus, emphasizing his disagreement with several decisions NASCAR has made. He particularly lamented the removal of races from Dover, a track whose fans he believes have long persevered and now face losing valuable events.
“And then there’s just some other ones that are, you know, kinda headscratchers. I don’t think it was a C or better for sure.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
His comments highlight concerns among drivers and fans about the potential loss of historic venues and the overall competitiveness and appeal of the race calendar.
Full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Race Schedule
The official 2026 Cup Series schedule provides a comprehensive list of races and dates as follows:
Sunday, Feb. 1: Clash (Bowman Gray Stadium)
Sunday, Feb. 15: Daytona 500
Sunday, Feb. 22: EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Sunday, March 1: Circuit of The Americas (Austin)
Sunday, March 8: Phoenix Raceway
Sunday, March 15: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday, March 22: Darlington Raceway
Sunday, March 29: Martinsville Speedway
Sunday, April 5: Off Week
Sunday, April 12: Bristol Motor Speedway
Sunday, April 19: Kansas Speedway
Sunday, April 26: Talladega Superspeedway
Sunday, May 3: Texas Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 10: Watkins Glen International
Sunday, May 17: All-Star Race (Dover Motor Speedway)
Sunday, May 24: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 31: Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, June 7: Michigan International Speedway
Sunday, June 14: Pocono Raceway
Sunday, June 21: San Diego (Naval Base Coronado)
Sunday, June 28: Sonoma Raceway
Sunday, July 5: Chicagoland Speedway
Sunday, July 12: EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Sunday, July 19: North Wilkesboro Speedway
Sunday, July 26: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sunday, Aug. 2: Off Week
Sunday, Aug. 9: Iowa Speedway
Saturday, Aug. 15: Richmond Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Saturday, Aug. 29: Daytona International Speedway
Sunday, Sept. 6: Darlington Raceway*
Sunday, Sept. 13: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway* (St. Louis)
Saturday, Sept. 19: Bristol Motor Speedway*
Sunday, Sept. 27: Kansas Speedway*
Sunday, Oct. 4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway*
Sunday, Oct. 11: Charlotte Roval*
Sunday, Oct. 18: Phoenix Raceway*
Sunday, Oct. 25: Talladega Superspeedway*
Sunday, Nov. 1: Martinsville Speedway*
Sunday, Nov. 8: NASCAR Championship (Homestead-Miami Speedway)*
*Indicates playoff races.
The Broader Impact of NASCAR’s Scheduling Decisions
This revamped schedule marks a significant shift in NASCAR’s strategic direction, impacting tracks, drivers, fans, and sponsors alike. Denny Hamlin’s blunt critique reflects a broader tension over whether these changes enhance the sport’s competitive integrity or undermine long-standing traditions. The introduction of new venues like the Naval Base Coronado race and the return of North Wilkesboro bring fresh elements but also raise questions about fan reception and logistical challenges.
Moving the championship race from Phoenix to Homestead signifies a major realignment of NASCAR’s season-ending event, which may affect team strategies and fan engagement. With two off weekends, the schedule now allows more intervals for teams to regroup, but whether the alterations truly improve the sport’s appeal remains debated. As 2026 approaches, all eyes will remain on how these schedule changes influence race day excitement and the overall NASCAR landscape.
