Here are top takeaways from the schedule report from The Athletic:
1. Major playoff shake-ups
As expected, the Cup Series playoff schedule got quite the makeover. St. Louis and New Hampshire are set to take over playoff dates previously held by Atlanta and Watkins Glen, and Talladega will now move into the penultimate round of the postseason.
Darlington also returns to the opening round of the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. The biggest addition of all is Talladega’s new placement, which is sure to throw a monkey wrench into every driver’s championship hopes.
Talladega’s new playoff spot means that the Homestead-Miami Speedway will be relegated to March. It’s possible the one-year hiatus from a fall date is an attempt to renovate the facility to possibly make a bid to host championship weekend once more in 2026.
2. Mexico City, Bowman Gray return after long hiatuses
Mexico City and Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., have hosted NASCAR races in the past, but 2025 will see both venues make their long-awaited return.
The 2025 race in Mexico City will mark the first time NASCAR’s raced has there since the Busch Series held four events from 2005-08. Bowman Gray hasn’t hosted a race since 1971, but the quarter-mile will once more come alive with the roar of engines when it hosts the Clash on Feb. 2.
3. Chaos will reign early
Daytona and Atlanta will reprise their roles as the first two races of the season, but the annual race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin will reportedly be the third race of the season in 2025.
As if two superspeedways to start the year wasn’t chaotic enough, a road course infamous for wild moments now has the potential to shake up the early-season points standings even more. Look for Shane van Gisbergen or A.J. Allmendinger to possibly turn the playoff grid upside down in Austin.
4. Predictably, Richmond loses a date
The cost of NASCAR going to Mexico City was losing a date at a historic short track.
With Richmond’s traditional spring date gone, a Saturday night race on Aug. 16 will be the lone opportunity for “The Action Track” to shine. Mediocre racing and dwindling attendance also played into the decision, and the next few races at the facility will be crucial in determining its long-term survival.
5. Multiple races flip months
If you have a 2024 schedule laying around, you’re free to rip it up.
A host of tracks will host races at least a month removed from their 2024 counterpart. Darlington moves from May to April, Iowa moves from June to August, Sonoma moves from June to July, Texas moves from April to May and Nashville moves from the last weekend of June to the first weekend.
A few dates will stay the same, most notably the Chicago Street Race returning for the third consecutive year on Fourth of July weekend.
