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While the 2025 schedule is still months away from being released, NASCAR fans have already received some small teases about the schedule. With dreams of international racing and new race tracks on the minds of NASCAR and the fans, sacrifices need to be made somewhere. What are some dates on the schedule that could be in jeopardy in favor of some of these other venues?
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During the offseason, Steve Phelps held a webinar where he discussed, amongst other things, the future NASCAR schedules. According to NBC Sports‘ Dustin Long, Phelps said that NASCAR will take dates away from race tracks with multiple dates that do not sell out, unless the track produces, “Extraordinary” racing. NASCAR has indeed taken dates away from a few race tracks in recent years including Pocono, New Hampshire, Dover, and Michigan.
Currently, there are 10 race tracks that host two races per year as follows: Daytona, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Bristol, Richmond, Martinsville, Talladega, Darlington, and Kansas. If the exception is given to tracks where the racing is “Extraordinary”, then that likely takes all superspeedways off including Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta.
Tracks like Phoenix, Bristol, Martinsville, and Darlington all bring in good crowds to their fall Playoff/Championship dates. The spring races, on the other hand, are a bit more shaky. Given the historical significance of Martinsville and Darlington and the importance of Phoenix’s fall date, NASCAR may be hesitant to push these tracks’ spring dates. Bristol‘s spring date could be in jeopardy if the crowds are bad, given that NASCAR moved that spring race to the dirt from 2021-2023.
Richmond is an example of a track where the on-track product has been hit or miss, and the track has not sold out in years. Either of Richmond’s dates are ones to watch as the 2025 schedule comes into focus.
Las Vegas and Kansas are both intermediate tracks that suit the Next-Gen car well as far as the racing product is concerned. Kansas sold out their fall are in 2023, but, Las Vegas had a lot of empty seats that fall. As a result, Las Vegas is another race to watch out for.
Jordan Bianch of The Athletic has reported that NASCAR is looking to move the Clash away from the LA Coliseum in 2025. One such report suggested that NASCAR could be looking at Mexico for the race, and Steve Phelps confirmed in the lead-up to the Daytona 500 that NASCAR is hoping to race in Mexico in 2025.
Whether or not Mexico becomes the future venue for the Clash remains to be seen. NASCAR’s 3 year contract with the LA Coliseum ran out after the 2024 event, so, the freedom is there to explore more venues.
However, Steve Phelps did also disclose that NASCAR is committed to racing in Southern California in 2025. Could NASCAR keep the Clash at the Coliseum for one extra year to make sure So-Cal gets a race date? Maybe they can, but, it’s uncertain as of right now.
North Wilkesboro Speedway will host the All-Star Race once again in 2024, but, the future of the track and the event is still uncertain. Many are hoping for North Wilkesboro Speedway to host a points race at some point. If that happens, the All-Star Race needs a new venue.
While the Clash has taken on the brand as the event to reach new fans, the All-Star Race could take on the opposite brand. It can be catered specifically to diehard fans with either classic venues or local short tracks. North Wilkesboro could fit that bill, but other venues could do so as well.
NASCAR could take the show to smaller local short tracks, or they could take it to a classic NASCAR venue with a good product. Since the date is an SMI date, we have to look at tracks owned by SMI, which include Bristol, Charlotte, and Atlanta amongst others. Each venue could be an interesting host for the race.
Gateway and the Chicago Street Race are both in unique situations. Gateway is entering the final year of a contract with NASCAR, and the Chicago Street Race is entering year 2 of a 3-year contract with uncertainty surrounding the local political climate. However, both races have reasons to stay on the schedule.
While Gateway is on an expiring contract, it has sold out the grandstands in each of its first two events. Anything can happen with the contract as it is, but, NASCAR does not want to leave a venue that continues to support it. If the crowds continue to show up, then Gateway should stay on the schedule
The Chicago Street Race is all about the political climate. The city has a contract with NASCAR through 2025, but, local support of the race has been split at best. Given the fact that the contract is there, it’s likely that the race will stay on the 2025 schedule, but, beyond that, the future of the event is uncertain.
If NASCAR tries to move races around in 2025, which of these races could be in jeopardy? Is there another one that we missed?
