In addition to revealing the long-awaited Cup series schedule, NASCAR also recently unveiled its schedules for the 2026 calendar year in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly known as Xfinity Series), and Craftsman Truck Series. Here are my takes on the best and worst changes made in those schedules. 

Xfinity schedule changes

GOOD:

IN THE NAVY NOW: All three series will be racing at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego in June, which should be an amazing location for the race. Assuming the track design allows for competitive racing, this is an event that should be a home run all weekend, and it’s nice to see NASCAR introducing these new locations instead of the copy/paste schedules we had for so many years. Whether it’s a one-year deal or multiple years, I am circling this on the schedule for all three series.

MORE DARLINGTON, PLEASE: Like most racing fans with half a lick of sense, I love to watch NASCAR racing at Darlington. The Lady in Black delivers every time in my book, so adding a second O’Reilly race at Darlington in 2026 is a no-brainer to me. It's an old-school track that is one of few I would argue deserves two dates.

After much anticipation and details trickling in about impending changes, the 2026 Cup series schedule is finally official.

Let’s dissect the good and the bad to come out of next year’s schedule updates. 

First, here are the positive takeaways:

• GOING BACK TO CALI: Exciting addition of San Diego street race to the schedule, bringing all three of NASCAR's top series back to the important California market. It will take place at the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, which should be an awesome backdrop. Chicago's street race had run its course, and I’m glad to see other exciting new additions to the schedule. Should be a fun weekend for fans and a popular one with drivers as well.
  
  
• AND BACK TO JOLIET: While I didn’t like Chicagoland back when NASCAR had races there years back (the final one was in 2019; all I remember from the years at the track was the giant orange bouncing down the track in qualifying). I always thought it was a bit of a bore with previous generation Cup cars. But, this Next Gen car races extremely well on the 1.5-mile tracks, so maybe it’s the right time to bring it back.
  
  
• NORTH WILKESBORO POINTS RACE: People wanted more than an All-Star race at North Wilkesboro, and they got it. I just hope it delivers and isn’t a snoozefest due to this car’s struggles on short tracks. The solid Bristol race this past weekend gives me some hope.
  
  
• EXTRA WEEK OFF: Drivers and teams will appreciate this. A second off weekend (in addition to Easter) lands in early August.
  
  
• HOMESTEAD FINALE: As we know from the many years we ended the season there, Homestead is a great finale location with tremendous racing. It’s only for 2026, as we’ll start a finale rotation for the years ahead, changing locations each year. I’m curious how the rotation goes moving forward. It’s nice to know it’s not locked in long-term at one place, as there are plenty of deserving tracks. Phoenix has run its course as the finale location and we needed a shakeup.

With a flurry of debate surrounding them, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are upon us. Whether you like the format or not, it’s time for 16 drivers to battle for the crown, with cuts along the way to 12, 8 and 4 remaining combatants.

Even with playoff points in the mix, everything is very tight as we begin the playoffs at the Lady in Black. Co-leaders Kyle Larson and William Byron are just 26 points ahead of the cut line entering the first round — which will take place at Darlington, Gateway and Bristol. All it will take is a quick Darlington stripe to knock someone from the points lead to below the cut line.

Read on for my full playoff predictions as we enter this 10-week battle.

Round of 16: Darlington, Gateway, Bristol

The big question as we start the playoffs is whether any of the drivers below the cut line will be able to claw their way out of danger and push others into that predicament. The points are so close, that of course this can happen, even in week 1, but once the three weeks are complete, I predict that only one of the four currently below the cutline (Tyler Reddick) will survive and move on.

While the race at Pocono on Sunday was largely a snoozefest and left much to be desired (though to its credit, a lot of folks likely enjoyed a nice nap), there is plenty to talk about in the aftermath of Chase Briscoe’s first win for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 19 car.

Top of mind is the increasingly small number of playoff spots that remain open, and whether or not any drivers will be able to make the playoffs through points alone.

At this moment, there are 11 drivers who have won a race, and should make the playoffs barring extreme circumstances. But there are 9 races left until the playoffs start, including drafting tracks at Atlanta and Daytona, plus the Chicago street course, and road courses at Sonoma and Watkins Glen. All five of those are wild cards, and unique and unexpected winners could emerge.

While I don’t think we’ll have more than 16 winners when the checkered flag falls at Daytona and the playoff lineup is set, anything is possible. So the following drivers need to realize their postseason is in danger if they don’t get a win:

Bubba Wallace: After a recent run of decent finishes, Bubba was snakebit at Pocono — not even making a qualifying run due to technical difficulties, then hitting the wall hard after brake failure during the race. He is now hanging by a thread and ranked 15th in the playoff grid, but that could easily evaporate if his bad luck continues. Bubba’s best chance to win his way into the playoffs is either next week at Atlanta, or at Daytona, and he’ll need to hold his own at the road courses to make sure he doesn’t drop major points there. This nine-week stretch will be a serious test for the 23 team.