NASCAR 2024 full schedule: First look at Cup, playoff changes, Phoenix

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule features an inaugural visit to Iowa Speedway, a change on where the regular season concludes, two changes to the championship playoffs, no dirt race, a return to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a new location for its Easter Sunday race.

Notable changes to the 36-race points (plus two exhibitions) schedule includes:

The season begins with the Busch Light Clash (not a points race) from the L.A. Coliseum on Feb. 4, 2024. A NASCAR Mexico series race opens the weekend – a first in NASCAR history.

Richmond Raceway’s annual spring race will occur on the evening of Easter Sunday, shifting into the holiday date Bristol’s dirt race occupied for the past three years.

Bristol Motor Speedway’s spring race reverts back to being held on concrete after a three-year experiment on dirt.

NASCAR’s All-Star race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 19.

The addition of Iowa Speedway, a popular short track about 35 miles east of Des Moines. NASCAR officially announced the June 16 race at a press conference Tuesday that included Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The regular season will resume in Chicago on July 7.

A return to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval after three years on IMS’ road course on July 21.

The regular season will conclude at Darlington on Sept. 1, as Daytona International Speedway will be the penultimate of the regular season on Aug. 24. Playoffs begin Sept 8 at Atlanta.

Watkins Glen International’s lone date and one of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s two dates shifting into the playoffs. The addition of Watkins Glen makes for two road course races during the playoffs, while Atlanta adds a second superspeedway.