NASCAR has confirmed it will return to Southern California in 2026 by hosting a street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. This newly added event is scheduled for June 19 to June 21, 2026, featuring the Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series competing on a course set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the downtown San Diego skyline.

The announcement follows several weeks of speculation, with Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer, indicating that the full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule would be released soon. This addition marks a significant development in an evolving schedule that still holds several unconfirmed dates and venues.

Confirmed Races and Key Dates on the 2026 NASCAR Schedule

Several races and dates for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series have already been finalized, giving fans and teams a clearer idea of the season‘s timeline. The calendar confirmed so far includes:

• February 1 — Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
• February 15 — The 68th Daytona 500
• May 24 — Coca-Cola 600
• June 21 — NASCAR race at Naval Base Coronado, San Diego
• November 8 — Season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway

The Southern 500 is not yet officially announced but is expected to retain its traditional Labor Day Weekend slot, potentially on September 6, 2026. Notably, the 2026 season will start one day earlier than the 2025 season and will conclude a week later, granting NASCAR an extra week that could be used for either additional racing or rest.

Despite the changes, some tracks will not feature in 2026; the Chicago Street Race is notably absent and has been postponed indefinitely with no scheduled return before 2027.

Ticket Renewals and Availability for 2026 Events

While the official schedule has yet to be fully published, many tracks have begun offering ticket renewals for 2026 races, especially for events held in the first half of the prior season. Fans can already secure tickets at various key venues, including:

• Nashville Superspeedway: Tickets for June 2026 are on sale.
• Texas Motor Speedway: Ticket renewals available for May 2026 events.
• Circuit of the Americas (COTA): 2026 tickets currently listed.
• Dover Motor Speedway: July 2026 tickets offered for renewal.
• Sonoma Raceway: Tickets for July 2026 accessible now.
• Michigan International Speedway: 2026 ticket renewals ongoing.
• Pocono Raceway: Tickets for 2026 open for renewal.
• Bristol Motor Speedway: April 2026 tickets available; the second Cup race for 2025 is set for September 13.
• Martinsville Speedway: Tickets for Spring 2026 on sale; second 2025 Cup race scheduled for October 26.
• Kansas Speedway: Spring 2026 tickets open; second 2025 event on September 28.
• Phoenix Raceway: Spring renewal tickets active; second 2025 race scheduled for November 2.
• Darlington Raceway: Spring 2026 ticket renewals available; 2025 Southern 500 is on August 31.
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Annual packages cover reserved seating for both Spring and Fall 2026 weekends.
• Talladega Superspeedway: Tickets for Spring 2026 available; second 2025 race on October 19.
• EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta): Tickets for Spring 2026 currently offered, though a second date is yet to be confirmed.

Several other tracks have not released ticket information for 2026 yet, often due to their 2025 race weekends still being scheduled. This group includes World Wide Technology Raceway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Watkins Glen International, Richmond Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.

Meanwhile, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City currently offers no updates on 2026 tickets, with only 2025 event details online. North Wilkesboro Speedway has announced ticket renewals for 2026 without specifying an All-Star race, directing fans simply to

“Lock in Your 2026 NASCAR Tickets.”

Uncertainty and Key Questions About the 2026 Season

Despite confirmed dates and venues, several important questions remain about the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The potential return of Chicagoland Speedway remains uncertain, reliant on necessary repairs and logistical approvals, especially as the Chicago Street Race has been removed for 2026 with an undefined future.

Other tracks like Philadelphia and Montreal have surfaced in discussions but have not received recent updates, highlighting the unpredictability of schedule additions. NASCAR’s swift confirmation of San Diego underscores the volatile nature of these negotiations.

One notable scheduling question involves the coveted Fourth of July weekend date, historically held at Daytona International Speedway but recently shifting between tracks such as the Brickyard 400, Road America, and Chicago from 2020 to 2025. The location for the 2026 holiday weekend is still undecided, raising speculation about whether NASCAR plans to find a new permanent host or continue rotating venues.

The playoff format for 2026 is also a topic of intense interest. With Homestead-Miami Speedway confirmed as the season finale venue, questions linger about where Phoenix Raceway will fit in the postseason and how the opening rounds will be structured. Fans and teams are eager to see if NASCAR maintains the 2025 playoff approach or enacts major changes in the near future.

Expert Commentary and Observations

Stephen Stumpf, NASCAR Content Director for Frontstretch and an experienced motorsports journalist, continues to provide in-depth analysis and coverage. He has contributed weekly columns and commentary on the evolving NASCAR landscape, shedding light on the schedule and competitive aspects at play.

“Lock in Your 2026 NASCAR Tickets.” —North Wilkesboro Speedway ticket page

“in a few weeks or so.” —Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer

Implications for Fans and NASCAR’s Future

Returning to Southern California after a long absence signifies NASCAR’s strategy to expand its footprint and captivate new audiences, especially with an urban street race at Naval Base Coronado offering a fresh backdrop and challenge. The inclusion of this event along with the confirmed dates creates a more dynamic 2026 schedule, with an odd number of race weeks potentially allowing for either increased competition or rest periods.

While fans await the full schedule’s release, the evolving status of several tracks and the Fourth of July race date highlight the fluid nature of NASCAR’s planning process. These developments will influence team preparations, fan travel plans, and overall competition in next year’s Cup Series season.

As the sport navigates this transitional period, further announcements in the coming weeks will clarify the calendar and illuminate NASCAR’s broader direction heading into 2026 and beyond.