NASCAR has locked in its 2026 schedule, with San Diego joining, Chicagoland returning, and North Wilkesboro getting its first points-paying race since 1996.

Dover Motor Speedway will be the site of the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race, the sanctioning body announced Wednesday, providing a unique track on which to showcase the top drivers while keeping the sport’s history at the forefront after a successful three-year run for the event at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

It will be the 0.625-mile track’s first points-paying race since 1996. NASCAR is moving its annual All-Star Race to Dover, opening the door for North Wilkesboro to reclaim a permanent spot on the Cup calendar.

NASCAR has released its schedule for the 2026 season. In that announcement, it was revealed that North Wilkesboro Speedway will make its long-awaited return to the NASCAR Cup Series. The track will host its first points race in 30 years on Sunday,

Despite the announcement being made recently, Wilkes County racing fans have been preparing for this announcement for quite a while.

The electrifying buzz of Late Model and Modified racing will once again pierce the North Wilkesboro air Oct. 18, with North Wilkesboro Speedway hosting the zMAX CARS Tour Championships, a spectacular festival of short-track excitement.

The Athletic claims that it has obtained next year's 38-race schedule, complete with a new regular-season race at North Wilkesboro.

Denny Hamlin strongly opposes speculation that NASCAR is moving the All-Star Race from North Wilkesboro to Dover, claiming that there could be minimal passing.