NASCAR appears to be making major changes to its 2026 Cup Series schedule, removing both the Mexico City road course and the Chicago Street Race, with Chicagoland Speedway emerging as a likely replacement.
đ« No More Street Races in Chicago and Mexico City
NASCAR formally announced on July 18, 2025, that the Grant Park 165, the Cup Series street race in downtown Chicago, will not return in 2026, aiming instead for a possible comeback in 2027. The sanctioning body cited the need to collaborate with city officials on scheduling, efficiency, and resident concerns regarding noise and street closures during the Fourth of July weekend . The event had generated significant exposure and an estimatedâŻ$128âŻmillion economic impact in 2024, but it also drew criticism from local stakeholders .
Paralleling that decision, NASCAR sources indicate the sport will also not return to Mexico City in 2026, effectively dropping the Viva MĂ©xico 250 after its inaugural edition in June 2025. Although the race marked NASCARâs first points-paying Cup Series event outside the U.S. since 1958, reports suggest logistical and contractual challenges prevented its continuation .
đ Chicagoland Speedway: The Likely Replacement
With two highâprofile departures, NASCAR appears ready to reâactivate Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinoisâa 1.5âmile oval that last hosted Cup races in 2019. The venue is reportedly under serious consideration and NASCAR personnel have already toured the facilities to evaluate what renovations might be necessary, with preliminary estimates running into the sevenâ or eightâfigure range .
Fans and insiders on platforms like Reddit have also noted the likelihood of Chicagoland returning, suggesting its place might be used to fill one of the vacated 2026 slots .
đ San Diego Moves In: A New Street Race at Naval Base Coronado
Although the Chicago street race is being paused, NASCAR is adding a new streetâcourse event at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego for 2026. The event is designed to honor the U.S. Navyâs 250th anniversary and will mark NASCARâs first race on a military installation, replacing Chicagoâs spot on the calendar with a fresh West Coast presence .
đ Looking at the 2026 Cup Series Landscape
Venue
2025 Event
Status in 2026
Mexico City (AutĂłdromo Hermanos RodrĂguez)
Viva MĂ©xico 250
Dropped from schedule
Chicago Street Course (Grant Park 165)
Street Race in downtown Chicago
Paused for at least one year
Chicagoland Speedway (oval, Joliet, IL)
Not on schedule since 2019
Likely returning to replace Chicago
Naval Base Coronado (San Diego street course)
N/A
New addition, replacing Chicago street race
While NASCAR has not issued a full 2026 schedule yet, the coming additions of San Diego street race and likely Chicagoland Speedway oval suggest a shift back toward traditional venues amid experimentation with street events .
đ What Does This Mean?
End of the shortâterm streetâcourse experiments: Both Chicago and Mexico City are set aside in 2026, signaling NASCARâs rebalancing of its mix of venue types. Chicagoland Speedway is likely back: After a brief dormancy, its familiarity as a classic triâoval may offer steadier traffic and fan engagement. San Diego brings fresh geography: The Naval Base Coronado event positions NASCAR on the West Coast in a way that differs from traditional venues while honoring U.S. heritage.
đź Looking Ahead
NASCARâs schedule for 2026 is still evolving, but these confirmed decisions outline a strategic pivot: pausing urban street races that drew logistics concerns, reviving heritage oval venues, and adding a unique West Coast event. Fans should expect announcements on dates, race lengths, and support series as planning continues.
Let me know if youâd like a preview of the expected race calendar, the drivers who might breeze at Chicagoland, or a breakdown of what the San Diego street race format could look like next year.
