NASCAR is letting fans know early what the 2017 schedule will look like for all three of its circuits, including one change in the Chase for the Cup.
We’re just over two months into the 2016 NASCAR season, and fans are already getting an early look at where their favorite drivers will be hitting the asphalt during the 2017 season. The organization released the schedule for next year for all three of their circuits (Sprint Cup, Xfinity Cup and Camping World Trucking Series).
Several notable changes will be taking place in 2017, including a major change when it comes to the Chase for the Cup in the group’s top circuit. Talladega Motor Speedway, which has served as the deciding race for the second round of the chase in the past, will move up a week in 2017 and change places with Kansas.
The move comes after some controversy during past chases, including in 2015 when Kevin Harvick stayed out in a wrecked car and collided with another driver to bring out a caution flag and allow him a chance to rejoin the field, thus advancing him in the chase.
NASCAR also said it will continue to hold races in North Carolina (including its All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte) in spite of that state’s passing of a controversial anti-LGBT bill regarding the use of public bathrooms. NASCAR officials say they don’t support the measure, but will work behind the scenes to attempt to find a solution.
The complete schedule for all three circuits can be found here, but some of the highlights for the 2017 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series include:
2/26Â Â Â Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500)
4/9Â Â Â Texas Motor Speedway
5/7Â Â Â Talladega Superspeedway
5/20Â Â Â Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR All-Star Race)
5/28Â Â Â Charlotte Motor Speedway
7/1Â Â Â Daytona International Speedway
7/23Â Â Â Indianapolis Motor Speedway
7/30Â Â Â Pocono Raceway
9/3Â Â Â Darlington Raceway
9/9Â Â Â Richmond International Raceway (Final race before chase)
10/1Â Â Â Dover International Speedway (1st Chase Elimination race)
10/22Â Â Â Kansas Speedway (2nd Chase Elimination race)
11/12Â Â Â Phoenix International Raceway (3rd Chase Elimination race)
11/19Â Â Â Homestead-Miami Speedway (Chase Championship)
Other notable changes include both Dover and Michigan getting new spots on the summer schedule and the spring Texas race moving from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.
For more NASCAR news, check out our NASCAR hub page.
Add us as a preferred source on Google