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Fox News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Fox News
Questions Linger For 2026 INDYCAR Schedule: Which Tracks Should Be Added?
As NASCAR has made some announcements about its schedule over the last several weeks, the INDYCAR paddock is awaiting word on several races for next year. Should INDYCAR return to Iowa Speedway after a sparsely attended doubleheader weekend? Will INDYCAR go to Mexico City? Those questions remain top of mind for 2026, a year for which one new event — the Grand Prix of Arlington in March — has already been announced. New events often generate buzz and excitement. The race around the Cowboys and Rangers stadiums should be a sight to see. Mexico City would be a second new race for 2026 and also an incredible sight. A Mexico race has been a major priority with the popularity of Pato O'Ward, who is optimistic about having a race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. But going to Mexico City is more than just about O'Ward. It would be the lone place where INDYCAR would race on the same circuit as Formula 1, giving fans an idea of the similarities and the differences between the two series. One of the world's biggest cities, Mexico City would provide the exposure INDYCAR needs to help the brands of the sport's biggest names beyond O'Ward. As far as Iowa, it is a NASCAR-owned track that has been rented out by INDYCAR to host events. In other words, the track owner doesn't pay a sanction fee and then makes money by selling tickets. Instead, INDYCAR has handled the ticket sales to cover its costs of renting the track. Sponsorship revenue can also cover those costs, and after Hy-Vee ended its sponsorship of the Iowa doubleheader, that obviously impacted the weekend with no big concerts and in-market activations. It would be nice to see how Iowa could do with a single-race weekend (rather than a doubleheader). With it being so close to one of sprint-car racing's most iconic tracks (Knoxville Raceway), it only seems right that the fastest open-wheel cars race nearby. But that might be more of a desire of the heart than a sound business decision. INDYCAR needs to have ovals, and preferably a variety of them, so if Iowa is dropped, where would INDYCAR go next? Could that be Homestead? Could that be Richmond? Could that be Phoenix? All of those are owned by NASCAR and they have had INDYCAR races in their track history. Richmond would fill in a much-needed hole in the schedule, which currently doesn't have a race in the mid-Atlantic or the Northeast. A return to Pocono, where INDYCAR has seen its share of injuries and loss, is unlikely. Watkins Glen (another NASCAR-owned track) doesn't seem to be in the conversation. Thermal won't be on the 2026 race schedule. Having races at the private club near Palm Springs was intriguing, but the race lacked that big-event vibe. It makes for a great potential testing facility but not necessarily a great location for a race. INDYCAR is at its best as the anchor for a big event where people want to come and hang with friends and see fast cars. And then also the place where die-hard fans can come see and root for their favorite drivers (or against the ones they dislike most). So it needs diverse places. It needs diverse facilities. Hopefully the 2026 schedule has all of that. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
New York Times
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about NASCAR's 2026 schedule: Mexico City, Chicago and more
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is starting to come together. Bowman Gray Stadium will again host the 'Clash' exhibition season opener, the Daytona 500 will be held on Feb. 15, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host the championship, and the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500, two of the sport's crown-jewel races, will be on their respective traditional holiday weekends. Advertisement But what about some of the big unknowns that will go a long way to dictating what the 2026 schedule looks like? Here's the latest on how it's taking shape, based on conversations with a dozen league and team sources in the NASCAR industry. NASCAR wants to return, and Mexico City would like NASCAR back, but racing in 2026 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit is still uncertain, even after what most considered a successful weekend for the first Cup points race outside the continental United States since the 1950s. The problem, according to those industry sources, is finding room on both parties' calendars. In NASCAR's debrief after last month's race, teams made clear to the league the logistics needed to be smoother — preferably by scheduling an off week either before or after Mexico City. NASCAR acknowledges that it's best to have an off week around Mexico City. But how would this happen, considering NASCAR's 38-week schedule affords little room for a break? The best option, multiple sources said, would be to shift Mexico City to either the week before or after Easter — the lone weekend next year between Daytona and the Homestead finale that Cup isn't expected to be racing. Finding a spring date on NASCAR's schedule, however, is challenging, as several tracks traditionally hold races at that time of year. NASCAR also needs a solution that makes sense logistically, reducing the burden on hauler drivers who had to travel from outside Detroit, Michigan, to Mexico City in just a few days. Visiting Mexico City at another time of the year is difficult due to the 2026 sports schedule in Mexico's capital. Starting in June, the month in which NASCAR held its event this year, Mexico City is hosting the FIFA Men's World Cup soccer tournament, with five matches scheduled in the city from June 11 to July 5. This is not a head-to-head competition NASCAR wants to face. Then, in the fall, Formula One makes its annual stop, effectively eliminating this window. This leaves spring to make it work. While returning to Mexico City for 2026 is uncertain, both sides want to continue this relationship, according to industry sources. It's just a matter of finding the right time — and it's becoming likelier that it might have to be 2027. Would NASCAR like to race in downtown Chicago next year? Yes, provided the league can strike the right deal. Are both the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago amenable to NASCAR coming back for a fourth consecutive year? Yes, provided they can strike the right deal for them. These caveats have left the future of the Chicago Street Course up in the air. Advertisement Staging a race around Grant Park is not easy for NASCAR or the city. It's expensive and requires shutting down several major roads. Is there a date other than the Fourth of July weekend that works better? And would NASCAR, after three successful years, be better served leaving, letting the anticipation for a return build, then coming back sometime in the future? The popularity of the race is a significant factor in the decision. NASCAR loves it, and so do league and team sponsors. Drivers have spoken glowingly about it too, including Kyle Larson. 'It's probably my favorite event in NASCAR each year,' he said. And, most importantly, local officials appear to have warmed up to it, too. This was made known to NASCAR in recent discussions regarding the race's future, according to sources involved with the talks. The support at the state and local levels has increased the likelihood of a fourth race in downtown Chicago. The Chicago Street Course is a big piece of the puzzle that will shape the 2026 schedule. Expect a resolution soon. With the uncertainty surrounding the Chicago Street Race, should NASCAR consider going back to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill.? Many drivers would be in favor of that solution to stay in the market and return to the 1.5-mile track that hosted Cup and Xfinity Series races from 2001-2019. Swapping the Chicago Street Race for Chicagoland would allow NASCAR to maintain a presence in the third-largest media market in the U.S. and add another oval to the schedule that should produce high-quality racing. The capital improvements that NASCAR would need at the track — estimated around $4 million, according to industry sources — are not high, though NASCAR would pay the bill itself. A return to Chicagoland could happen in 2026, but it's no sure thing. Right now, the focus within NASCAR, those sources said, is to finalize the San Diego race and sort out the respective futures of Mexico City and the Chicago Street Race. Chicagoland, though, is an option if a spot opens up. Nothing has changed since The Athletic's report last month on NASCAR nearing a deal for a race in the San Diego area. Discussions are ongoing, industry sources said, and the expectation is that an agreement will be reached. An announcement is tentatively slated for later this month. A street course race in San Diego would accomplish NASCAR's goal of adding one new big event to its schedule each year, following in the footsteps of the Clash being held at both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Bowman Gray Stadium, returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway after a nearly 30-year absence, the Chicago Street Course, Mexico City and several others. Advertisement After the All-Star Race bounced around for several years, the venerable short track in North Carolina's foothills has helped restore some of the importance. The All-Star Race feels special again. NASCAR recognizes this, and the 2026 All-Star Race is expected to return to North Wilkesboro Speedway for a fourth consecutive year, industry sources said, even as there's rising support to see the track host a Cup Series points race, which it last did in 1996. Circuit of the Americas and Speedway Motorsports — which effectively rents out the Austin, Texas, road course — have operated on a year-to-year basis for the past few years. This partnership is expected to continue in 2026, industry sources said, with NASCAR tentatively slated to race there in early March — a renewal coming after what was widely viewed as the best NASCAR race there.
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
NASCAR'S Daniel Suarez Will Leave Trackhouse Racing At End Of Season
Daniel Suarez, driver of the #9 Quaker State Chevrolet, celebrates with the Mexican flag after ... More winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Chilango 150 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 14, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by) The most successful driver from Mexico in NASCAR is moving on as Daniel Suarez of Monterrey will not return to the No. 99 Chevrolet at Trackhouse Racing after this season. Suarez, winner of two NASCAR Cup Series and four NASCAR Xfinity Series races with Trackhouse, is the first Mexican driver to win a Cup Series race and has been with Trackhouse Racing since it began competition in 2021. The 33-year-old Suarez and Trackhouse said it was a mutual decision. The move allows Suárez to pursue new opportunities in his racing career. Suárez won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship in 2016. Trackhouse Owner Justin Marks Thankful For Suarez Impact Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks said now is the right time to allow Suárez to pursue what's next in his racing career. 'The role Daniel has played in the Trackhouse origin story, and its first five years will remain a valued part of the company's history forever. His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career,' Marks said. 'We will forever be thankful and honored that Daniel chose to spend many incredible years with us. We are proud of his wins, his successes, the growth of his brand, and his emergence as a valuable athlete in America's greatest motorsport. But, most of all, I'm proud of him as a friend. I'm truly excited to see what awaits him in the next chapter of his amazing career. We are grateful for the professionalism, effort and heart he's brought to our organization.' Suárez will continue to compete for Trackhouse Racing for the rest of the 2025 season, as the team works to win more races and earn a playoff spot. 'I want to thank all the men and women at Trackhouse Racing for your love and support.' said Suárez. 'I've had some of the best years of my Cup Series career at Trackhouse. We had great successes as a team, and I gained some incredible friends. We took a team nobody had even heard of in 2021 and in just a couple of years we were winning races and running up front on a weekly basis. "Just like the seasons in a year, sometimes things change, and we have mutually agreed to each go in our own direction. I wish Trackhouse nothing but the best, this No. 99 team will always be special to me. And like I always say, the best is ahead.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chase Elliott Defends Longtime NASCAR Tradition and Questions Need for Change
Chase Elliott Defends Longtime NASCAR Tradition and Questions Need for Change originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Chase Elliott didn't win on Sunday in Mexico City at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez but did receive special recognition for his third-place finish, joining winner Shane van Gisbergen and second-place finisher Christopher Bell in a unique podium-style finish, not native to NASCAR but more so to Formula 1 and most other motorsports, including IndyCar and dirt tracks across the nation. Advertisement Kyle Larson was questioned about the podium celebrations before last week's race south of the border and suggested incorporating podiums at select NASCAR races, specifically mentioning crown jewels like the Daytona 500 or Coca-Cola 600. On Saturday at Pocono Raceway, the 2020 Cup Series champion was asked for his thoughts on podiums in the future. Shane van Gisbergen celebrates on the podium alongside second-place driver Christopher Bell and third-place driver Chase Elliott after Mexico City Romero/Reuters via Imagn Images 'Yeah, I am not really for it or against it,' Elliott began. 'I am fine with it. I have no problem giving Shane (van Gisbergen) his congratulations and making sure that he is celebrated properly. He won the race. He deserved the right to that. "Me being the second loser, I can certainly get in there and make sure that I can appreciate the job that he did. I guess that is kind of what you are getting at. 'There is no doubt would I have rather that been me? Yeah, no question. It's not normal for us, so I am okay with it. I am okay with doing it. I am okay with not doing it. If that is going to be a new thing, then totally fine and we can start a new tradition. Advertisement "But that has not historically been us. So I just want to make sure our focus is being us as NASCAR and that's OK. We are our own form of motorsports and I think we can stand on our own two feet and we can do our own thing. So, as long as we are not doing it to be like everybody else, I am fine. But if that is the case, I am also good not doing it.' Elliott and his fellow competitors take to the track for Sunday's race with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Prime. Related: Chase Elliott Gets Fans' Attention With Smart Reply to Denny Hamlin Post This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
NASCAR driver forced to apologize over insulting Mexico remark as he's hit with punishment
Following the NASCAR Cup Series' first race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City over the weekend, Spire Motorsports' Carson Hocevar was fined for insulting comments about the track and the country. Hocevar was on a live stream in the days prior to finishing 34th out of 37 drivers at the track that is best known for hosting the Mexico City Grand Prix in Formula One. When asked for his thoughts on the race, Hocevar went off on the organizers, the track itself, and the city - which he described as a 's**thole' before even taking a lap around the track. 'If the travel was better, if getting here was easier, if you felt safer getting to and from everywhere, if it wasn't such a s**thole, if the track limits were a little better enforced, if it was going to be a little bit better of a race, and it wasn't so easy to, or feel so locked down like you can't leave anywhere, it'd be a great experience,' the 22-year-old Michigan native said live on a Twitch stream. After his disparaging comments, Spire Motorsports slapped Hocevar with a $50,000 fine and placed him in mandatory cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training. 'These actions are consistent with Spire Motorsports' core value of RESPECT, which is something we proudly display on every race car, team uniform, trackside hauler, and digital channel,' a statement from the race team read. 'Respect is not a slogan. It is a daily expectation that we "walk the walk" in how we speak, compete, and serve the communities that welcome our sport. Carson Hocevar's recent comments made during the livestream fell short of that standard.' The team said that NASCAR was informed of their discipline of Hocevar and did not impose any further punishment. Hocevar fully apologized back on Sunday, saying in part, 'My opinion has changed. I am embarrassed by my comments.' Nearly two hours after Spire posted their statement - and received plenty of backlash - Hocevar publicly admitted fault again. 'Whoa everybody, the truth is the truth,' he began. 'I said something that not only was wrong, I said it without even laying my own two eyes on CDMX or turning one lap in an actual race at an amazing facility that welcomed me with open arms and I go and say that? 'Thank you for the support but I'm not sure we're on the same page. You guys want me to be me? It was me who said it and it was me who apologized after actually taking the time to explore the city and feel the passion of every fan in attendance.' The fine Hocevar will pay is being distributed to the Mexican Red Cross, the Mexican United Way, and Un Kilo de Ayuda - a nonprofit combating childhood malnutrition and supporting early-childhood development. Hocevar sits 20th in the NASCAR Drivers' Championship standings - with his best results being second-place finishes at Atlanta and Nashville. The series heads to Pocono in Pennsylvania this weekend.
