A major change is coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway this fall, according to a report from The Athletic. The oval is back on the 2026 schedule for the return of The Chase.
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According to Jordan Bianchi, multiple sources briefed on the decision have informed him that NASCAR will move the October race from the Charlotte Roval — part road course, part oval — to the traditional 1.5-mile oval. This marks the first time since the 2017 season that the competitors will race on the oval twice in one season instead of only in May.
Bianchi added that an official announcement from NASCAR about the change is expected in the coming weeks.
https://t.co/SCWYXMMc4p pic.twitter.com/cmfIvxTZFY
— Chase Briscoe (@chasebriscoe) January 26, 2026
Charlotte Motor Speedway first began hosting Cup Series races in 1960. It hosted two races annually through the 2017 season. The home track of NASCAR teams also hosted the All-Star Race in 1985 and 1987-2019.
O'Reilly Auto Parts Series teams began competing at the 1.5-mile oval in 1982. Craftsman Truck Series drivers began competing at the track in 2003.
A major change occurred for the 2018 season. NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports unveiled the Roval, the purpose-built road course that incorporated sections of the oval. This track began hosting cutoff races in the playoffs, and it often showcased desperation.
The inaugural Cup Series race at the Roval served as a fitting example. Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson attempted a desperation pass on Martin Truex Jr. in the final turn. He spun them both after locking up his brakes and opened up an opportunity for Ryan Blaney to score a historic win.
Charlotte'ın Roval düzeninde yapılan ilk yarışın finali 🤯
Galibiyet için mücadele eden Martin Truex Jr ve Jimmie Johnson'ın spiniyle fırsatı değerlendiren Ryan Blaney Penske'deki ilk galibiyetini elde ediyor.
Eleme hattında ise Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Larson'ın tiebreak ile… pic.twitter.com/UWWHtUwzQO
— NASCAR Türkiye 🇹🇷 (@nascarturkiye) October 11, 2024
The Charlotte Roval has also served as the site of attempted race manipulation from Stewart-Haas Racing, Kevin Harvick intentionally wrecking Chase Elliott, a run-in between Tyler Reddick and William Byron, and Ross Chastain spinning Denny Hamlin in an attempt to gain one point to advance to the Round of 8.
The Roval has also served as the site of multiple comeback stories. Kyle Larson won at the road course in 2021 after persistent battery issues requiring an alternator change. Elliott won in 2019 after crashing on the playoff race's opening lap.
With The Chase returning, the desperation moments at the Roval would no longer exist. Now that the road course is off the schedule for 2026, the teams will move forward knowing that they will not face this style of track in the 10-race Chase. They can just take notes from the Coca-Cola 600 in May and try to use them in the fall race.
