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The Cities NASCAR Doesn’t Race in Anymore

ELKHART LAKE, WISCONSIN - JULY 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 HighPoint.com Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Kwik Trip 250 at Road America on July 03, 2022 in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Joshua Lipowski

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Royal T Grafix

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What’s Happening?

While NASCAR has expanded to plenty of exciting, new markets in the last few years, there are a few places they left behind for one reason or another. Today, we look at some of the cities where NASCAR doesn’t race anymore and whether or not NASCAR could return to any of these places in the coming years.

  • This list will include all NASCAR National Touring Series. Any market that NASCAR has raced in previously but does not currently race in can be included on this list.
  • The focus will be on the larger markets or NASCAR’s most prominent ones. Local short tracks in the Truck or Xfinity Series from the 1980s or 1990s will not be as high of a priority.
  • Some of these markets could host NASCAR again. However, multiple factors make them less likely to host NASCAR again.

Denver/Colorado Springs, Colorado

NASCAR has never been known to dabble much in Colorado, but it wasn’t that long ago that NASCAR raced in the “Centennial State.” From 1998 until 2005, Pikes Peak International Raceway hosted eight Xfinity Series and five Truck Series races. Notable winners at the track include Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth.

The track still exists today, but it’s not nearly as prominent as it once was. It also sits 90 minutes south of Denver, a large, untapped market. If NASCAR ever returns to this area, it might be a street race in Denver, which would be a cool event.

Memphis, Tennessee

From 1998 through 2009, the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series traveled to Western Tennessee and Memphis Motorsports Park. While the Trucks traditionally came in the late spring or early summer, the Xfinity Series often visited in the fall, giving fans two separate weekends of action. Notable winners included Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, and Greg Biffle.

So, why did NASCAR ultimately leave Memphis? Well, NASCAR already has a good presence in Tennessee with two race weekends in Bristol and one in Nashville, so it wouldn’t make much sense to oversaturate that market. On top of that, the track is now closed, effectively ending any chance at NASCAR involvement in the city.

Rockingham, North Carolina

Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina was a staple of the NASCAR schedule for decades in the heart of NASCAR country, hosting 78 Cup Series races from 1965 through 2004. Name a NASCAR legend, and chances are they’ve won at “The Rock.” The reopening of North Wilkesboro Speedway has sparked optimism in many that Rockingham may rise from the ashes.

Unfortunately, Rockingham’s ownership hasn’t been nearly as stable since it left the schedule, and neither NASCAR nor SMI owns the track. The track is also in a very rural area, with other NASCAR tracks in bigger markets fairly close by. Rockingham has fan sentiment going for it, but it’s an uphill battle to return to the schedule.

Sparta, Kentucky

Kentucky Speedway, located in Sparta, Kentucky, is about halfway between Cincinnati and Louisville. Throughout the 2000s, the track hosted the Xfinity and Truck Series before the Cup Series joined in 2011. Kentucky got off on the wrong foot in 2011 when traffic issues caused many fans to miss the race, and lackluster racing combined with a controversial repave further doomed the track’s future.

It’s unlikely NASCAR will ever return to this track despite it being an SMI track. It’s near some bigger markets, but it’s not in any city centers, either. As long as SMI owns the facility, there’s some hope, but it will take a miracle for Kentucky to return.

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, was a popular addition to the NASCAR calendar throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. The Xfinity Series raced there from 2010 through 2023, while the Cup Series joined in 2021 and 2022. However, NASCAR’s recent expansion has left Road America off the 2024 schedule.

The Cup Series left Road America after 2022 in favor of the Chicago Street Race, thinking that Road America and Chicago both appeal to the same spectators. While the Xfinity Series stayed in 2023, the Olympic break meant Road America couldn’t keep its’ original date on the schedule, and NASCAR left the venue entirely. Wisconsin race fans still get their NASCAR fix with the Truck Series going to the Milwaukee Mile in August, but many fans still wish to see Road America back on the calendar.

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Cleetus McFarland Explains The One Catch to His NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Garrett Mitchell, better known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, says his 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule isn’t set in stone, something the YouTube star explained to Dale Earnhardt Jr on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download.

One of the biggest surprises in recent NASCAR news is that YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut next month at Rockingham Speedway.

Mitchell, who has just won a NASCAR National Series start to his name, will make this start with Richard Childress Racing in their No. 33 car as part of a part-time development contract that will see him make starts in 2026 and 2027.

Per Mitchell, his contract will cover three races per season, though he hinted it could be more in a Facebook post. Nonetheless, fans are eagerly awaiting an official schedule of what other tracks Mitchell and RCR will tackle in 2026.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a little longer for this schedule, as the 30-year-old Floridian explained during a recent interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr, his 2026 schedule is still up in the air a month ahead of his first race.

During an interview on the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Mitchell told Earnhardt that while he plans to race the superspeedways after Rockingham, with his sights set on Talladega’s April 25 or October 24 race weekend, the decision lies in the hands of NASCAR.

“NASCAR said I cannot run Talladega unless I go to Rockingham first and do well,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell then clarified that while he will have a rookie test for Rockingham, the race at Rockingham will determine his eligibility to race at Talladega.

Stirring the Pot

Mitchell, who has two ARCA starts at Daytona and one at Talladega, has already taken a rookie test this season at Rockingham for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Despite a minor crash during this test, Mitchell was cleared to race in the season-opening race at Daytona, crashing himself in a single truck spin five laps into the race, after a valiant qualifying effort.

Even with the barrier of Rockingham in the way, fans are already somewhat concerned about McFarland’s skills, given the result of his short time behind the wheel of a truck.

During this episode of The DJD, Mitchell expressed his intentions to work his way up the ladder and learn, but with the caveat that if an opportunity presents itself to him, he will take it, using the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series as a metaphorical example.

“I don’t want to drive a Cup car right now. But, brother, if someone calls me and says, ‘We got a spot in a Cup car in the Daytona 500?’ I mean, what am I supposed to do?” — Cleetus McFarland

Despite his doubters, with the support of RCR and their developmental tools, Mitchell seems confident about the opportunity, already getting in some sim time with RCR.

Either way, no matter how much support he has in his corner, Mitchell is diving in headfirst once again with this opportunity.

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Cleetus McFarland’s First NASCAR Diecast is Officially Available for Pre-Order

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Lionel has officially opened pre-orders for Garrett Mitchell’s (better known as Cleetus McFarland) first-ever NASCAR diecast.

  • This announcement comes as part of his upcoming debut in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next month. While the sponsor, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, and car number, No. 33, are known, there has yet to be an official render of his paint scheme released to the public.
  • Lionel Racing is offering two diecast options for Mitchell: the first option is the 1:64 scale diecast at $11.75, and the second is a 1:24 scale diecast at $70.00. As of press time, it appears the car will not receive any other options, such as Special Finishes like Color Chrome or Galaxy Colored.
  • Mitchell announced his first NASCAR OAP Series race on Wednesday afternoon, signing a two-year, three-race-per-year deal with RCR. This is a major step for the YouTube star turned NASCAR driver, who made his ARCA debut last season.
  • Due to his popularity both in and out of NASCAR, Mitchell’s diecast may be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Many race fans are already giving bold predictions for the large order quantity this car will receive by the time it reaches production.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 11: Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, driver of the #30 Kenetik Ford waits on the grid prior to the ARCA Menards Series Bush's Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Cleetus McFarland Will Race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series This Year

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to race with Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the next two seasons.

UPDATE 3:00 PM EST: Per RCR Mitchell will make his debut at Rockingham Speedway on April 4.

  • Mitchell announced his signing with RCR in a Wednesday afternoon post on his Facebook. The 30-year-old says that RCR reached out, offering to make him “a better driver and give you an opportunity to grow in this sport.”
  • The Floridaian will drive the team’s part-time No. 33 on a part-time basis over the next two seasons. Mitchell claims in his post that the deal is three races a year, but hints it could be more, saying “3 races a year right now.”
  • Mitchell, who made his NASCAR debut last season with a four-race schedule in the ARCA Menards Series, has brought a legion of fans to NASCAR in his few starts. So far, Mitchell has made five career starts in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
  • That start in the Truck Series, at Daytona earlier this season, was a spark of controversy, as, after crashing in his test for approval, Mitchell crashed himself early on in the race. While he has his supporters, including many in the garage area, this move up the NASCAR ladder will likely see some pushback from fans across the board.
  • As of press time, Mitchell has yet to announce his first race of this part-time schedule with RCR.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.