Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to 2026 NASCAR schedule rumors, potentially breaks news

Dale Earnhardt Jr. took a closer look at what the 2026 NASCAR schedule could look like. On Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt first talked about NASCAR potentially returning to Chicago since its contract is up with the city.

“I can’t even imagine how much of a spiderweb the agreement or any future agreement or how to even get down that path is for NASCAR in the city and all that s**t,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “You don’t know who’s telling the truth about whether they really want to do this again or not. If they said tomorrow, ‘Yeah, there’s a new two-year deal or three-year deal, I wouldn’t be mad about it. The race itself is entertaining as s**t.”

Earnhardt went on to talk about what he likes about the Chicago Street race. He also revealed how NASCAR could add it to the 2026 schedule as it looks to have a road course race in San Diego.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares more rumors on 2026 NASCAR schedule

“I don’t know if they’ll go back. I hear that San Diego is going to take its place,” Earnahrdt stated. “There will be a street course in San Diego of some type. That is what will take Chicago’s place. It doesn’t mean that Chicago can’t still exist. Maybe Mexico City goes away, and Chicago shifts to a different part of the schedule, I don’t know. I think there’s a potential where you could see us racing at Chicago and San Diego, for sure. There’s a world where that exists.”

Earnhardt then shared something about what NASCAR won’t do in 2026 and which international city could host a race down the road. “I don’t think that they’re adding another road course,” he said. “Whatever the number is today, that will be the number next year, but I don’t know which race tracks it’s going to be. I’m feeling like the San Diego deal is done. People will say it’s not done, but I feel like it’s done.

“And then it’s like 50/50 between going back to Chicago or going back to Mexico City. Then you always have the hope that we get to Montreal again, and I think it’s NASCAR’s intention to get there. That might not happen next year.”

Earnhardt’s comments came as NASCAR announced news about the 2026 schedule. It was revealed on Wednesday that the Clash is set to return to Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.