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Drivers Offer Range Of Reactions To 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

Jared Turner Written by Sports EditorJared Turner
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Ryan Blaney

Now that the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule has been out for a few days and drivers have had a chance to digest it, what do they think about it?

Several weighed in on Friday at Daytona International Speedway, site of Saturday night’s regular season finale.

Check out what they had to say.

Switch From Chicago Street Course To Chicagoland Speedway Draws Mixed Reviews

One of the biggest changes to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule from 2025 is the return of Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, about 45 minutes from downtown Chicago.

But while Chicagoland is back, the Chicago Street Course in downtown Chicago — a part of the schedule since 2023 — is gone.

“I think bringing Chicagoland back is a great move,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said. “With losing the Chicago Street Race and bringing in Chicagoland, at least Illinois still has a race in their state. So, I’m happy with that. I think a lot of people have been trying to push for that track to make a comeback for a long time.”

The 1.5-mile track hosted a Cup Series race every season from 2001-2019 but hasn’t been on the schedule since.

“I was pretty sad when we left there, because it put on a great show,” Blaney said. “I think with this car, it will put on a fantastic event. So, I’m excited for that.

“Chicagoland is definitely top of my list that I’m pretty pumped it came back.”

Veteran Brad Keselowski is excited about Chicagoland for another reason.

“Chicagoland is a track I’ve had a lot of success at,” Keselowski said. “So, selfishly, it’s always gonna be good when you have a track you’ve won at before.”

Michael McDowell — one of the series’ most noted road racers — isn’t quite as enthusiastic about about Chicagoland.

“My honest thoughts? I would like to add the Chicago Street Course back, if we could,” McDowell said. “You know, I’m obviously really biased when it comes to that.

“Chicagoland is a really fun racetrack. This current rules package races really well at mile-and-a-halves, so I feel like it’s a good selection. I just hate losing a road course in the mix.”

Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski Give Most Of 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule A Thumbs-Up

Along with being happy about the inclusion of Chicagoland, Ryan Blaney is a fan of the new San Diego Street Course coming to Naval Base Coronado.

“I think us going to Coronado is gonna be a lot of fun,” Blaney said. “They’re gonna roll out the red carpet for everybody and to celebrate 250 years of the Navy.

“I think that’s great. And to be a part of that to celebrate their history, I’m really excited for that, too. I think they did a good job on the schedule.”

The Team Penske driver also has no problem with Watkins Glen being shuffled from its traditional August date to Mother’s Day in early May.

“People made a big deal about Watkins Glen getting moved to May,” Blaney said. “It’s like, why? Who cares? It’s fine. It’ll be pretty up there, I promise.”

Like Blaney, Brad Keselowski is upbeat about the 2026 schedule as a whole. The 2012 Cup Series champion is especially fond of having two weekends off — several months apart — after the Cup Series being idle just one weekend this year.

“Two off weekends is a good number,” Keselowski said. “I think they’re nice being spread out. It’s good for the garage and good for our fans and well-received.

“There wasn’t a lot in the schedule I didn’t like, to be honest.”

The little bit that Keselowski doesn’t seem sold on is the new location for the All-Star Race, which is moving from North Wilkesboro to Dover.

“I think we’re all a little bit surprised by that,” Keselowski said. “I’m hoping that they have enough time to put up lights, because that would be super-cool.”

Don’t count on that happening, however.

Jared Turner Written by Sports EditorJared Turner
Jared Turner is a motorsports writer who has covered NASCAR for 20 years. He has interviewed over 20 NASCAR Hall of Famers and around 100 drivers, crew chiefs, and team owners, both past and present. He has also covered the sport for FOX Sports (where he was a two-time recipient of the FOX “X” Award for “Xtraordinary” job performance), NASCAR.com, Sporting News, NASCAR Pole Position Magazine, the SPEED network, and plenty of other online and print-only publications throughout his career. Notably, Jared has penned dozens of articles for NASCAR souvenir programs, including several featured prominently in Daytona 500 keepsakes. A Virginia Press Association award winner and former member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), Jared has racked up accolades both for his writing and his academic work. He studied both Communication and Psychology at Virginia Tech, where he was permanently enshrined in Phi Beta Kappa — the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Jared excels at feature writing and opinion writing, much of which stems from his dedication to all levels of racing.
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