A major NASCAR schedule change is on the horizon just weeks before the 2026 season, as the Charlotte ROVAL is reportedly facing removal from the NASCAR calendar.
Charlotte Motor Speedway introduced the ROVAL in-field road course in 2018. Though the layout has seen many iterations and many iconic moments of NASCAR’s playoff era, per a new report, much like NASCAR’s playoff era, the circuit’s time on the schedule may be coming to an end.
Per Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Charlotte Motor Speedway is looking to shift its fall race weekend, which features all three NASCAR national series, away from the ROVAL and back to the track’s 1.5-mile intermediate oval.
Though the track has yet to confirm this, Bianchi reports the announcement is expected to come soon.
The Roval, built within the CMS oval, was a fan favorite from its introduction, due to its chaotic nature and unique spot on the NASCAR schedule.
Throughout the years, due in part to a declining road course racing product and a much-improved intermediate racing product, fans have called for its removal from the NASCAR schedule for some time now.
This past fall, when NASCAR announced its 2026 schedule, fans and some industry members were disappointed to see the road courses return. Now, as a late off-season gift to fans, this change seems likely to happen.
While the removal may ironically coincide with the end of NASCAR’s elimination-style playoff format, its removal might be the first change to the schedule following this shift and championship product.
Of course, it seems unlikely NASCAR will make changes to the 2026 schedule anymore, as the season is technically set to kick off this weekend.
Regardless, gone are the days of cut-off races, rounds, and eliminations, which had affected the NASCAR schedule over the past few seasons, leaving fans to ask if it’s time for a post-playoff era schedule refresh.
When NASCAR announced the return of the Chase format on January 12, fans immediately wondered if tracks like Daytona or Talladega could see these tracks’ second races of the year return to their traditional slots on the calendar.
While the rest of 2026 may be safe, besides the ROVAL, expect these conversations about the 2027 season to continue well into the new year.
Let us know your thoughts on this! Join the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more updates.
A major NASCAR schedule change is on the horizon just weeks before the 2026 season, as the Charlotte ROVAL is reportedly facing removal from the NASCAR calendar.
Charlotte Motor Speedway introduced the ROVAL in-field road course in 2018. Though the layout has seen many iterations and many iconic moments of NASCAR’s playoff era, per a new report, much like NASCAR’s playoff era, the circuit’s time on the schedule may be coming to an end.
Per Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Charlotte Motor Speedway is looking to shift its fall race weekend, which features all three NASCAR national series, away from the ROVAL and back to the track’s 1.5-mile intermediate oval.
Though the track has yet to confirm this, Bianchi reports the announcement is expected to come soon.
The Roval, built within the CMS oval, was a fan favorite from its introduction, due to its chaotic nature and unique spot on the NASCAR schedule.
Throughout the years, due in part to a declining road course racing product and a much-improved intermediate racing product, fans have called for its removal from the NASCAR schedule for some time now.
This past fall, when NASCAR announced its 2026 schedule, fans and some industry members were disappointed to see the road courses return. Now, as a late off-season gift to fans, this change seems likely to happen.
While the removal may ironically coincide with the end of NASCAR’s elimination-style playoff format, its removal might be the first change to the schedule following this shift and championship product.
Of course, it seems unlikely NASCAR will make changes to the 2026 schedule anymore, as the season is technically set to kick off this weekend.
Regardless, gone are the days of cut-off races, rounds, and eliminations, which had affected the NASCAR schedule over the past few seasons, leaving fans to ask if it’s time for a post-playoff era schedule refresh.
When NASCAR announced the return of the Chase format on January 12, fans immediately wondered if tracks like Daytona or Talladega could see these tracks’ second races of the year return to their traditional slots on the calendar.
While the rest of 2026 may be safe, besides the ROVAL, expect these conversations about the 2027 season to continue well into the new year.
Let us know your thoughts on this! Join the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more updates.
