NASCAR officials have confirmed that both Chicagoland and Kentucky will not be part of the 2021 schedule when it is released tomorrow, marking the first tracks to be removed from the Cup Series since 2004, when NASCAR announced Rockingham's date would not be on the 2005 schedule.
NASCAR's schedule is expected to address fan complaints of too many races being held on 1.5-mile to 2-mile tracks. The Athletic reported last week that NASCAR is expected to shift the non-points All-Star Race from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Texas Motor Speedway, which will lose one of its two point-paying races to make way for the addition of a road course race at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk told The Athletic he met with a contingent that included Chicagoland track President Scott Paddock and was given "a few different reasons" for the race being dropped.
"This is bad for (the city of Joliet). It was a great event," he said. "It certainly helped businesses, local restaurants and hotels. I haven't talked to the (city) council but I know are very disappointed by it. As far as they know it's a one-year decision right now. There's no indication either way about what would happen moving forward."
Why changes were made
Jordan Bianchi, motorsports reporter: NASCAR executives have publicly acknowledged that they needed more variety with the Cup schedule and wanted to overhaul it. However, NASCAR’s options were limited due to two primary factors: a five-year track sanctioning agreement that went into effect prior to the 2016 season — effectively guaranteeing each track a specific number of races each season — and that two publicly held companies owned the majority of tracks, creating unease that shareholders may resist any significant makeover. With the sanctioning agreement expiring at the end of the 2020 season, and last year seeing NASCAR purchase International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc. returning to a privately owned company, this allowed NASCAR to largely rearrange the schedule as it best sees fit beginning next year.
What this means
Bianchi: A schedule that has long been viewed as stagnant is getting a much needed overhaul, and underscores that NASCAR is serious about adding the kinds of tracks its fan base has been clamoring for. Beginning next year, there will more short tracks, with an additional short track added no later than 2023.
Highlights of the 2021 schedule
Bianchi: NASCAR is seeking to add another two to three road courses to the 2021 schedule. The Athletic reported last week Circuit of The Americas will be added, while Road America and the Indianapolis road course are also possibilities, according to sources.
