Particle.news

Charlotte Drops Roval for 2026 With Playoff Race Returning to 1.5-Mile Oval

Officials cite stronger intermediate racing with the Next Gen car, with broad stakeholder support.

Overview

  • Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith confirmed Charlotte will run two points races on the oval in 2026, the first such season since 2017.
  • The Bank of America 400 returns to the oval as a 400-mile Cup race on Sunday, Oct. 11, with Bank of America continuing as title sponsor.
  • Chase weekend is set for Oct. 9-11: EcoSave 250 (Trucks) Friday 5 p.m. on FOX, Blue Cross NC 250 (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) Saturday 4 p.m. on The CW, and the Cup race Sunday 3 p.m. on USA.
  • With the Charlotte road course dropped, the 10-race Chase will feature no road-course event, concentrating road and street races in the regular season.
  • Smith said the Next Gen era has reduced road-course excitement, and the change followed an internal proposal by Jessica Fickenscher and support from NASCAR, TV partners and Bank of America.