As 2024 draws to an end, NASCAR grows its wings. The American motorsport has rarely ventured outside its comfort zone for 76 years of its existence—but the time has finally come to turn that around. NASCAR’s 2025 schedule will witness a points-paying race in Mexico, breaking a 67-year-old tradition of confining to US borders. But that is not the end of the story.

The Chicago Street Race, introduced in 2023, was a novel phenomenon as it is. But now the sport is ready to take its metropolitan racing to another city. So in addition to 2025 Mexican plans, the 2026 story has already begun.

NASCAR peeking into another cityscape

As if next year is not bringing enough surprises, NASCAR is already gearing up for its 2026 adventure. Richmond Raceway just lost its springtime seat on the Cup schedule, to be replaced by an international race in Mexico City. The last time a Cup race was held off US borders was a Canadian Exhibition race in 1958, in Toronto. Yet this major shuffle is not the only thing that will dazzle fans.

NASCAR journalist Adam Stern posted the updated 2025 schedule on X. You can see the shuffled track dates, like Homestead Miami in the spring or the Gateway race moving into the playoffs. Among them, Mexico City stands out as the new addition. But along with the 2025 dates, Stern dropped the 2026 surprise in his caption. “@NASCAR could host a street in San Diego as soon as 2026, per people familiar.”

NASCAR spent $50 million on the inaugural Chicago Street Race—it freshened up its brand at a time when it was trying to secure billion-dollar TV deals. So the sport is now looking for more street racing projects, and San Diego seems like a viable opportunity in California. This possibility strengthens, especially after NASCAR sold off the majority of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana for $544 million last year.

The future holds bright prospects ahead; let us wait and see how it all unfolds!