Charlotte Motor Speedway Drops Roval for 2026, Restores Fall Playoff Race to 1.5-Mile Oval
Stakeholders cite stronger Next Gen racing on intermediates as the reason for the change.
Overview
- SMI CEO Marcus Smith confirmed the switch, ending the Roval’s eight-year run and returning the Bank of America 400 to the oval on Oct. 11, 2026.
- The ten-race Chase will feature no road-course event after Charlotte’s move off the Roval.
- Bank of America stays as title sponsor, with the Cup race set for 3 p.m. ET on USA and companion series racing Oct. 9-11.
- Charlotte will host two points-paying oval races in 2026 for the first time since 2017.
- Smith said NASCAR, TV partners and the sponsor supported the change, as broader 2026 tweaks add San Diego’s street race and keep remaining road events in the regular season.