NASCAR is reportedly set to skip a return to Mexico City in 2026, with leaked plans indicating Chicagoland Speedway is poised to reclaim a spot on the calendar, according to a report from The Athletic.
Despite the success of this year’s inaugural points-paying Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, NASCAR’s first international points event since 1958, a follow-up appears off the table for next season.
The June event, won by Shane van Gisbergen, drew significant attention, but scheduling conflicts tied to the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup have complicated efforts to secure a return.
Mexico City is one of the host cities for the tournament. It will stage five matches between June 11 and July 5, occupying the window during which NASCAR would likely return.
According to The Athletic, both NASCAR and local organisers explored alternate dates, including the springtime Easter break or a possible doubleheader with IndyCar, but talks have now reportedly shifted toward aiming for a 2027 comeback.
In place of Mexico City, NASCAR is expected to reintroduce Chicagoland Speedway to the schedule. The 1.5-mile oval in Joliet, Illinois, located roughly 50 miles from downtown Chicago, has been largely inactive since it last hosted a Cup race in 2019.
Alex Bowman won that most recent event, while Tony Stewart remains the track’s most successful Cup driver with three victories.
Though NASCAR has not officially announced the switch, The Athletic reports that returning to Chicagoland is currently the leading option to fill the Mexico City void on NASCAR’s 38-race schedule (36 points-paying events and two exhibition races).
The move would help maintain the sport’s presence in the Chicago market following confirmation earlier this month that the Chicago Street Race will not take place in 2026.
That event is being replaced by a new street course race in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado.
While the return to Chicagoland is not yet confirmed, its revival would mark a significant development for NASCAR fans in the Midwest, and keep hopes alive for an international event return the following year.
Header Image: Getty Images
