2024 NASCAR Predictions: Expectations for new schedule

In the 2024 NASCAR season, the schedule is going to look a little different with a new order in the regular season and playoffs. There is also the addition of Iowa Speedway as well as year two of the Chicago Street Race.

I think that the best way to go about this is to talk about the new races, then the traditional races returning, and finally get into playoff additions and all of that. NASCAR also had some misses on this schedule that they wanted and just couldn’t get done. Well, one big one.

There is no international race this season. Montreal was thought to be an addition to the schedule, but it just didn’t happen. However, Iowa Speedway was added. The Busch Light Clash returns for year three at the LA Coliseum, and the Chicago Street Race returns.

I think that the Clash at the Coliseum is awesome. It’s a unique exhibition event. On a quarter-mile track, the racing is not going to be fun. But I hope this season there won’t be so much bumper-car-style racing.

As for Chicago, I just hope we don’t get a historic rainfall again. Please. This event wants to thrive and it will, especially when the concerts and festival atmosphere are allowed to thrive as well. Fully expect this race to be improved even after last season’s wild and improbable win by Shane van Gisbergen.

Let’s get into the rest of the schedule.

2024 NASCAR schedule regular season changes

Atlanta after Daytona:
Atlanta Motor Speedway is now going to be the second race of the season. It will also be the first race of the NASCAR Playoffs. Daytona and Atlanta back-to-back? I’m skeptical.

Bristol cleans up the dirt:
Finally, we are going back to Bristol concrete for two races this season. The only issue is that the Bristol Night Race was the least-watched non-delayed race of the year. Not sure the racing will be great, but it’s an incremental improvement.

NASCAR keeps Easter weekend with a Richmond night race, a wonderful move.

Texas in the regular season:
Thankfully, Texas is not in the playoffs. Sorry, don’t like it. The race this season was improved, but still, there are better intermediate tracks for NASCAR to go to. Regular season? Sure, why not, and if it improves, add it back to the postseason.

Iowa gets Cup Series debut:
After IndyCar made Iowa Speedway look so fun, NASCAR decided to finally take the Cup Series there. The Xfinity Series raced at this track and it provided some good racing. I think we could see a great race here next season.

New Hampshire goes to summer:
For the first time since 2010, New Hampshire will be raced in June. The race moves to the early summer and I hope it’s a good one. Martin Truex Jr. stunk it up a year ago, but I still enjoyed the race all around. Pretty neutral about this one.

Brickyard 400 returns to Indy:
Finally in the regular season changes, the Brickyard 400 returns. The Cup Series and Xfinity Series return to the Indy oval and it will be awesome. I really hope fans turn out. Let’s also hope the racing is good, because it would stink to not have good racing at Indy.

Regular-season finale, playoff changes

Darlington becomes regular-season finale:
Due to the Olympic break in August, NASCAR was faced with a tough challenge. Keep Daytona the regular season finale like everyone agrees it should be, or change it because of Labor Day tradition?

NASCAR moved Darlington to the regular season finale to make sure it remained the Labor Day race. The Southern 500 replaces the Coke Zero Sugar 400 as the finale. Darlington was a great first race for the playoffs, too.

Round of 16 gets a new look:
For those worried about the NASCAR Playoffs changing, it’s alright. It sounds scary when you hear another superspeedway was added and another road course. However, it’s the Round of 16. Atlanta-2 is now the first race of the playoffs.

Following the Atlanta playoff race, NASCAR goes to Watkins Glen. That’s right, The Glen gets a date for September. Let’s hope a cold front doesn’t come through. Everyone remain clam as Bristol remains the finale for the Round of 16 and the rest of the playoffs remain untouched from the past couple of years.

Conclusion: This is going to be a fun NASCAR season. There is a great rookie class, a lot of great drivers coming back, and a new twist on the schedule. Let’s hope the upcoming short track test is able to reconcile some issues that the Next Gen car has had. I’m genuinely looking forward to the start of the 2024 season.