We know only one thing about the revised NASCAR schedule for 2020 as it relates to the global coronavirus pandemic that all but shut down the sports world in mid-March: There will be no racing at any track until some point in May, when NASCAR hopes to return to action without fans in attendance at a location to be determined. A total of eight Cup Series races have been postponed.
It's important to note that NASCAR races at Atlanta, Homestead, Texas, Bristol, Richmond, Talladega, Dover and Martinsivlle have been postponed, not canceled — at least not yet. NASCAR still intends to hold all 36 Cup Series races in 2020.
Again, for now.
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The coronavirus outbreak has brought an unpredictability factor in terms of how all sports, racing included, can proceed. Which is why NASCAR in a previous statement noted it "will continue to monitor this dynamic situation as we assess future race events.”
In other words, more changes can and likely will come.
For now, below is what we know about the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series schedule as it stands, plus the options the sport might weigh as the pandemic continues.
New NASCAR schedule for 2020
| Date | Race | Track | Start time | TV channel | Radio | Winner |
| Feb. 16 | Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway | 2:30 p.m. ET | Fox | MRN | Denny Hamlin |
| Feb. 23 | Pennzoil 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 3:30 p.m. ET | Fox | PRN | Joey Logano |
| March 1 | Auto Club 400 | Auto Club Speedway | 3:30 p.m. ET | Fox | MRN | Alex Bowman |
| March 8 | FanShield 500 | Phoenix Raceway | 3:30 p.m. ET | Fox | MRN | Joey Logano |
| March 15 | Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| March 22 | Dixie Vodka 400 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| March 29 | O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| April 5 | Food City 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| April 19 | Toyota Owners 400 | Richmond Raceway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| April 26 | Geico 500 | Talladega Superspeedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | |
| May 3 | NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover | Dover International Speedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| May 9 (Sat.) | NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville | Martinsville Speedway | Postponed | Postponed | Postponed | - |
| May 16 (Sat.) | All-Star Race | Charlotte Motor Speedway | 9 p.m. ET | FS1 | MRN | - |
| May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | 6 p.m. ET | Fox | PRN | - |
| May 31 | Kansas 400 | Kansas Speedway | 2 p.m. ET | FS1 | MRN | - |
| June 7 | FireKeepers Casino 400 | Michigan International Speedway | 2 p.m. ET | FS1 | MRN | - |
| June 14 | Toyota / Save Mart 350 | Sonoma Raceway | 3 p.m. ET | FS1 | PRN | - |
| June 21 | Chicagoland 400 | Chicagoland Speedway | 2:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| June 27 (Sat.) | Kids Free 325 | Pocono Raceway | 3 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| June 28 | Worry-Free Weather Guarantee 350 | Pocono Raceway | 3:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| July 5 | Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | 3:30 p.m. ET | NBC | IMS Radio | - |
| July 11 (Sat.) | Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart | Kentucky Speedway | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN | PRN | - |
| July 19 | Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | NBCSN | PRN | - |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Aug. 9 | Consumers Energy 400 | Michigan International Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| Aug. 16 | Go Bowling at The Glen | Watkins Glen International | 3 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| Aug. 23 | Drydene 400 | Dover International Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| Aug. 29 (Sat.) | Coke Zero Sugar 400 | Daytona International Speedway | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC | MRN | - |
| Sept. 6* | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway | 6 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| Sept. 12 (Sat.)* | Federated Auto Parts 400 | Richmond Raceway | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN | MRN | - |
| Sept. 19 (Sat.)* | Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN | PRN | - |
| Sept. 27* | South Point 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 7 p.m. ET | NBCSN | PRN | - |
| Oct. 4* | Alabama 500 | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. ET | NBC | MRN | - |
| Oct. 11* | Bank of America ROVAL 400 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | 2:30 p.m. ET | NBC | PRN | - |
| Oct. 18* | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway | 2:30 p.m. ET | NBC | MRN | - |
| Oct. 25* | Texas 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | NBCSN | PRN | - |
| Nov. 1* | NASCAR Cup Series Fall Race at Martinsville | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. ET | NBC | MRN | - |
| Nov. 8* | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. ET | NBC | MRN | - |
* — playoff race
Canceled NASCAR races
No NASCAR races have been canceled. As other sports leagues and organizations have experienced with the coronavirus pandemic, that could quickly change.
From NASCAR's statement: "We intend to hold all 36 races this season, with future rescheduling soon to be determined as we continue to monitor this situation closely with public health officials and medical experts. What is important now transcends the world of sports and our focus is on everyone’s safety and well-being as we navigate this challenging time together.”
It's currently unclear how canceled races would impact the NASCAR schedule. From Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass:
"NASCAR rules state the playoffs start on Race 27. There is no specification on what would happen if the season is shorter than 36 races. NASCAR has a rule that allows it to change rules at any time: 'On occasion, circumstances will be presented that are either unforeseen or are otherwise extraordinary, in which strict application of the NASCAR Rules may not achieve this goal. In such rare circumstances, the NASCAR Officials, as a practical matter, may make a determination regarding the conduct of an Event, the eligibility of a Competitor, or similar matters that are not contemplated by or are inconsistent with the NASCAR Rules, in order to achieve this goal.'"
Postponed NASCAR races
- Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 15)
- Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (March 22)
- O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway (March 29)
- Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway (April 5)
- Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway (April 19)
- Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway (April 26)
- Cup Series Race at Dover International Speedway (May 3)
- Cup Series Race at Martinsville Speedway (May 9)
NASCAR has some options with the eight races currently postponed.
Not including the April 12 weekend, the 2020 schedule features two open weekends (July 26 and Aug. 2), so the postponed races could be rescheduled in any of those slots. They also could be scheduled in the middle of any given week, although the Homestead, Texas and Dover races in particular would present logistics/travel issues for teams.
It is my understanding that everything and anything is on the table. Doubleheaders? Midweek races? Moving races within SMI or NASCAR portfolios? Extending the season beyond early November? ... Certainly will be talks among tracks, NASCAR, broadcast partners. https://t.co/omj0Y4fjWs
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 16, 2020
For what it's worth, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway have lights.
NASCAR has not announced when and how it will reschedule the races — just that they have been postponed.