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Freddie Kraft, Ty Dillon react to San Diego addition, Chicagoland rumors for 2026 NASCAR schedule

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones07/22/25brianjones_93
NASCAR Chicagoland Speedway
Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Freddie Kraft and Ty Dillon had some interesting things to say about NASCAR going to San Diego next year and potentially adding Chicagoland to the 2026 schedule. On the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Kraft and Dillion reacted to NASCAR going to San Diego for a road course race.

“San Diego is an awesome city,” Ty Dillion said. “It’s also close to where the Navy Seals train, which is kind of a cool thing, too”. Dillon then shared his thoughts on NASCAR possibly returning to Chicagoland since the Chicago Street Race is out for 2026.

“Chicagoland, I felt like the last time I ran there, it was one of my favorite tracks and they took it off the schedule, of course,” Dillon said. “I had some good experiences there, so I’m looking forward to going back.”

Kraft, who is the spotter for Bubba Wallace, said that the Chicagoland rumors will “continue to gain steam,” as the season rolls on. He also said that the Mexico City race will join the Chicago Street Race as the two will be taken off the 2026 schedule.

More on the NASCAR 2026 schedule

“I think Mexico just comes off next year just for the fact that they don’t have a place for us to race,” Fredie Kraft said. “Next year, they have the World Cup there. So now, they’re trying to figure out where to put it on a schedule and line it up.”

Kraft followed that up with saying that it’s likely NASCAR will have a second off-week next year because there will be 39 weeks in the season with 37 events. “I’m thinking we’re going to get maybe that summer off week back, which would be nice,” Kraft stated.

Kelly Crandall of Racer.com reported this past weekend that NASCAR will have a race on the Coronado Base in San Diego in the summer of 2026. In June, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported that NASCAR was looking to finalize a deal for a street course race in the San Diego area.

NASCAR held Cup Series races at Chicagoland Speedway from 2001 to 2019. The 2020 race was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and NASCAR has yet to return to 1.5-mile track.