NASCAR will release its ’20 Cup Series schedule as soon as tomorrow, sources said, and the slate is expected to feature several notable changes. NASCAR has been working to find some meaningful changes to the schedule as the industry continues to look for the optimal arrangement with its current suite of tracks. This will be the first new schedule under President Steve Phelps, who has been clear that he is looking to switch up certain aspects of NASCAR’s 10-month slate, though the series will be more flexible in ’21 after the current track sanction agreements expire at the end of ’20. Execs directly involved in several of the proposed changes are declining to confirm the moves ahead of the release tomorrow. However, sources said some of the possible moves that have been discussed in recent weeks include going straight to the three-race West Coast swing after the Daytona 500; pushing Atlanta to the fifth race; holding a doubleheader at Pocono Raceway that would see a Cup race held on both Saturday and Sunday, a move that would help condense the schedule; and moving the season finale from Homestead-Miami Speedway to ISM Raceway near Phoenix. Ford’s deal as title sponsor of the season finale at Homestead expires after this year, which would make a venue change for the finale easier.
NASCAR MUM FOR NOW: NASCAR typically does not put out the following year’s schedule until close to or even into April, but the series may be looking to do so earlier this year because it needs extra time to notify fans and industry stakeholders like hotels about the multitude of changes. Condensing the schedule closer to, or even into, October would be a significant development for the series as it works to move further away from running during the start of the NFL season. NASCAR is not commenting.
