A new era for the Cup Series
NASCAR has revealed a significant reshuffle of its premier series calendar for the 2027 season, confirming that the historic Bowman Gray Stadium will no longer host a Cup race. The decision follows a series of weather‑related postponements in 2026 that forced the event to be shelved, prompting the sanctioning body to seek a more reliable venue.
In its place, the organization will bring back the iconic Clash exhibition race to Daytona International Speedway, restoring the event to its original setting after a multi‑year absence. The Clash is slated for the night of February 13, 2027, the evening before Super Bowl LXI, and will sit eight days ahead of the Daytona 500, the season‑opening marquee event.
The Clash returns to its spiritual home
The move not only reinstates a beloved tradition but also expands the opening week with a pair of qualifying races scheduled for February 17 and 18. Those sessions will determine the lineup for the Daytona 500 and will be broadcast across Fox’s platforms, with six Cup dates moving to the main network and eight to Fox Sports 1.
Daytona International Speedway, which last hosted a Cup race in 2016, will now resume its role on the tour schedule, marking a symbolic return to the track’s historic roots. The venue’s 2.5‑mile layout is expected to provide a dramatic backdrop for the Clash, which has a storied past dating back to 1979 and has previously been delayed by rain in 2017.
Broadcast and qualifying details
Fans and teams alike are already speculating about the impact of this calendar tweak on preparation strategies and championship outlook. By consolidating the season‑opening events at Daytona, NASCAR aims to create a marquee week that captures national attention and drives viewership across its broadcast partners.