CONCORD, N.C. -- With the 2016 slate in full swing, Thursday morning, NASCAR released the schedule for the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series campaign.
“Announcing the 2017 national series schedules this early in the season is another example of the collaborative spirit across the NASCAR industry,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “It is an exciting time in NASCAR, with some of the most intriguing racing we’ve seen in years. With the 2017 schedule solidified, the industry can now concentrate on the remainder of this season, while planning for the future much earlier than in previous years.”
Among the biggest changes involves the second round of the postseason.
Talladega Superspeedway will now be the second race of the Round of 12 in 2017 (Oct. 15), with Kansas Speedway becoming the elimination race in that round on Oct. 22, 2017.
Other changes include Texas Motor Speedway's spring race shifting to Sunday and the spring Dover International Speedway race moving to June 4, 2017 – a week after the Charlotte 600 – as opposed to the May date it holds in 2016.
Another important date to note? The 2017 season will officially kick off on Feb. 26 with the Daytona 500.
Check out the full schedule below.
| 2017 NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE | |
| Date | Site |
| Feb. 18 | Daytona International Speedway (The Clash) |
| Feb. 19 | Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 qualifying) |
| Feb. 23 | Daytona International Speedway (Duels) |
| Feb. 26 | Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500) |
| March 5 | Atlanta Motor Speedway |
| March 12 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
| March 19 | Phoenix International Raceway |
| March 26 | Fontana, California |
| April 2 | Martinsville Speedway |
| April 9 | Texas Motor Speedway |
| April 23 | Bristol Motor Speedway |
| April 30 | Richmond International Raceway |
| May 7 | Talladega Superspeedway |
| May 13 | Kansas Speedway |
| May 20 | Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-Star Race) |
| May 28 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| June 4 | Dover International Speedway |
| June 11 | Pocono Raceway |
| June 18 | Michigan International Speedway |
| June 25 | Sonoma Raceway |
| July 1 | Daytona International Speedway |
| July 8 | Kentucky Speedway |
| July 16 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway |
| July 23 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
| July 30 | Pocono Raceway |
| Aug. 6 | Watkins Glen International |
| Aug. 13 | Michigan International Speedway |
| Aug. 19 | Bristol Motor Speedway |
| Sept. 3 | Darlington Raceway |
| Sept. 9 | Richmond International Raceway |
| Sept. 17 | Chicagoland Speedway |
| Sept. 24 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway |
| Oct. 1 | Dover International Speedway |
| Oct. 7 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Oct. 15 | Talladega Superspeedway |
| Oct. 22 | Kansas Speedway |
| Oct. 29 | Martinsville Speedway |
| Nov. 5 | Texas Motor Speedway |
| Nov. 12 | Phoenix International Raceway |
| Nov. 19 | Homestead-Miami Speedway |
| SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE | |