NASCAR is expected to release its '17 Cup Series schedule by the end of this week, according to multiple sources, following through on the goal to get the slate out significantly earlier than in the past. Sources said that the sanctioning body, which has been able to speed up the scheduling process via its five-year track sanctioning agreement that was implemented this season, has told industry stakeholders to expect a Thursday morning release. NASCAR did not return a request for comment on the matter by presstime.
In the past, NASCAR’s track agreements were renewed annually. The schedule had been generally released between late August and early October in recent years as a result of the time it took to work through all the renewals. But the five-year agreement with tracks allowed for greater advanced planning because far less time is being devoted to renewing agreements. NASCAR as a result has worked with promoters to get out the slate quicker. This has long been a desire of many in the industry, including competing series like IndyCar and the NHRA, who wait to see NASCAR’s schedule before they complete theirs. Any changes to next year’s Cup schedule from this year were unclear as of presstime.
