Dover, Watkins Glen Strikes Will Check NASCAR Danger-Taking

Dover because the All-Star Race? Watkins Glen in Could?

These have been the 2 considerably startling reveals of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Collection schedule. The truth is, some may be scratching their heads asking, “what are they pondering?”

Speedway Motorsports has the All-Star Race and wished North Wilkesboro to have a factors race on the thirtieth anniversary of the final factors race on the monitor. Nothing flawed with that.

However of all its tracks, it selected Dover, a monitor that doesn’t have lights. So most probably, this might be a daytime race.

Now, the place temperatures are involved, Dover in Could is probably going going to be cooler than Dover in sizzling July. And it’s a quick monitor, at one mile in size. It is going to be an intriguing All-Star Race — one which followers ought to wish to watch since it will likely be distinctive.

However what about Nashville? 

Possibly the concept was to attend to see if the Fairgrounds deal may very well be pushed by way of after which convey the All-Star Race there. Or Bristol? That has among the identical challenges as Dover, however it will additionally differentiate the 2 Bristol occasions.

“We labored with Speedway Motorsports on the shift there,” NASCAR Government Vice President Ben Kennedy mentioned. “A part of it was making an allowance for whether or not transferring them into Could felt prefer it was a greater time of 12 months from at the least a warmth perspective, and we thought of a handful of different tracks as effectively. We felt like that one was one of the best.

NASCAR Government Ben Kennedy speaks throughout the NASCAR Awards and Champion Celebration on the Charlotte Conference Heart in Nov. 2024

“Plenty of concerns simply as we take into consideration every one among these strikes, and Dover was the most suitable choice that we had for ’26.”

If the All-Star Race went to Bristol, that will imply including one other monitor within the early months of the schedule. And the choice to maneuver Watkins Glen exhibits there are restricted choices.

Richmond had sufficient success with a latest Saturday evening summer time race that it seems a summer time Saturday evening works finest for its one occasion.

May Iowa have moved to Could? Probably, though then it will possible be inside every week or two of the Kansas race. Possibly St. Louis? Sonoma? 

So, sure, it’s a little little bit of a problem. However tenting in August at Watkins Glen looks as if the right time.

NASCAR’s Jusan Hamlin, who’s managing director for racing operations and handles a lot of the schedule points, is from that space of New York and is hopeful the brand new date will work.

“The cool factor about having the race happen that point of 12 months, faculty remains to be in session. The inhabitants of central New York is far increased that point of 12 months, so you might have the chance to doubtlessly attain a fan demographic up there that is sometimes not round throughout the summer time,” Hamlin mentioned.

Cup Collection drivers race at Watkins Glen in Aug. 2025

“So far as climate goes, we have a look at a variety of knowledge in any respect our venues, and climate is at all times definitely a consideration. You look at the moment of the 12 months. It says on common decrease 70s throughout the day, probability of rain is comparatively low even in comparison with August.” 

Whether or not upstate New York might be recovering from a spring snow stays to be seen, however it’s nothing that NASCAR hasn’t handled in March and April at some venues.

There’s heaps to love within the 2026 Cup schedule. 

Homestead because the finale and the addition of factors races at San Diego (Naval Base Coronado), Chicagoland and North Wilkesboro ought to all generate pleasure.

However as a sequence generates pleasure, it usually generates questions. We’ll see how these two work out.

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent many years masking motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seaside) Information-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

Get extra from the NASCAR Cup Collection Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra