It’s expected that the 2026 NASCAR schedule will come this week. However, we have come to know of some changes ahead of time, from the addition of the San Diego street course to Homestead-Miami Speedway hosting championship weekend.

What we ultimately see on the schedule was entirely NASCAR’s call, Denny Hamlin said on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast. Hamlin added the sanctioning body does not collaborate with its drivers and teams on the schedule.

“Some of this schedule stuff is slowly leaking out. This is typical each year. The weeks leading up where they’re leaking this track is in, this track is out,” Hamlin said. “They’ve said Iowa is in limbo… Chicagoland, no Chicago [Street Race], San Diego is in. I don’t know, it’s interesting kind of how it all works.

“I can assure you with one thing for certain, as much as they talk about collaboration — NASCAR doesn’t collaborate at all with the teams, drivers or anyone on the schedule. That’s their whole thing. We have nothing to do with it, no input, no nothing. Whatever it is, it’s what they came up with.”

NASCAR schedule taking shape ahead of reveal

Other changes that have been reported are the return of Chicagoland Speedway, which would replace Mexico City. The latest from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, is there is an “increasing possibility” that the All-Star Race could be moved from North Wilkesboro Speedway to Dover Motor Speedway.

Bianchi noted that if Dover got the All-Star race, it could mean that North Wilkesboro lands a Cup Series points race. The last time a Cup Points race happened at the North Carolina short track was in 1996, when Jeff Gordon won the Tyson Holly Farms 400.

Hamlin likes the idea of a points race in North Wilkesboro. He would be in favor of the All-Star Race going away, calling for NASCAR to give the teams another off week.

“Why don’t we just give the damn teams a week off? Like, they are running us through the grinder. It is a grind trying to get to the racetrack every single weekend,” Hamlin said. “Definitely would enjoy another break, and I just don’t see the need of trying to force this.”