NASCAR revealed its 2026 schedule on Wednesday, introducing several notable changes including the addition of a temporary street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, the removal of the Mexico City race, the return of North Wilkesboro as a points-paying event, and the All-Star Race moving to Dover. Among these updates, Team Penske’s Austin Cindric focused on a particular aspect of the schedule that stands out to him.
Austin Cindric Highlights the Value of Scheduled Breaks
Cindric, who secured a spot in the playoffs this season with a victory at Talladega, recently expressed his enthusiasm on SpeedFreaks for the two-week breaks incorporated into the 2026 regular season. The first break falls between the Martinsville race on March 29 and the Bristol race on April 12, and the second occurs after the Indianapolis race on July 26, with no Cup races scheduled for August 2 before action resumes at Iowa on August 9.
Recognizing the challenges of a demanding racing calendar, Cindric praised NASCAR for including these pauses. When asked about the highlights of the upcoming season, he said,
“Number one is two off weeks. That’s badass. We need one in the middle of something.”
You think about it, we’ve been racing since Easter, which I love. I love that, but god, it is a grind for everybody involved. A lot of people I work with all have families, and those things are very important to have, have a little bit of that time off. So, I think that’s big for the whole industry to have that.
—Austin Cindric, Team Penske Driver
New Venues and the Return of North Wilkesboro
Cindric reflected on the unique location of the new San Diego road course, highlighting its setting on a naval base as an intriguing development. He also affirmed the deserving status of North Wilkesboro’s reinstatement as a points event. These venue changes add fresh dynamics to the 2026 racing calendar while respecting traditional circuits.
Debate around Road Course Races in the Cup Series
The 2025 season saw six road course races, with five completed and Shane van Gisbergen sweeping four wins, reigniting debate about the balance between oval and road racing in a Cup Series historically built on oval circuits. For 2026, officials settled on five road course events starting in the third week of the season. Cindric weighed in on these discussions, emphasizing the need for balance.
He noted,
“I think there’s a balance for sure and I know the conversations come up more with Shane’s success. I mean, I feel like that should be celebrated more than maybe criticized as far as taking tracks off the schedule.”
However, Cindric cautioned that any road courses included should suit the characteristics of the Cup cars, which are high-powered and heavy, not naturally agile.
They do promote some sort of tire fall-off… We can get very physical… I think we need to go to circuits that complement our cars more than just destinations, speaking as like a purist and a race fan. But I know it’s more than just that.
—Austin Cindric, Team Penske Driver
Potential Reactions from Seasoned Drivers
The mix of new road courses and traditional tracks in next year’s schedule might prompt varied opinions among veteran drivers, especially those who have been vocal advocates for oval racing such as Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski. Their views on the evolving landscape could influence ongoing conversations about the future direction of the Cup Series.
Anticipated Impact of the 2026 Schedule on NASCAR
The introduction of planned rest weeks in the 2026 NASCAR schedule is likely to ease the physical and mental strain on drivers, teams, and support staff, acknowledging the personal lives behind the sport’s demanding calendar. The revival of North Wilkesboro as a points race and the San Diego naval base street circuit add renewed excitement and variety to the racing venues. Meanwhile, the ongoing debate over road versus oval courses highlights the sport’s evolving identity and the need to balance tradition with innovation.