Recently, there’s been a lot of chatter surrounding the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The major talking point from the discussion has been the addition of an international race to an already tight racing calendar. With NASCAR heavily invested in tapping into a new market, a race out of America only becomes natural.

As rumored, Richmond Raceway is expected to lose a date from next year onwards. The short-track oval has two dates on the Cup Series calendar—one spring event and a playoff race that follows late in the season. However, racing at the iconic track hasn’t been up to par in the last few years. Apart from dwindling attendance, other factors have contributed to the decline of once-prominent NASCAR tracks.

The constant shuffling of dates, racing on Easter, and the lackluster short-track package have all added to the track’s woes. Even Dale Earnhardt Jr. was furious with how NASCAR treated one of its traditional oval venues to aid another road course event, on the schedule.

He had mentioned, “They’re going to lose a date, they’re going to lose a date because of how stubborn, I guess they are about it,” according to 5 Goats. 

NASCAR will probably announce its schedule very soon. Initially, it was expected that either Mexico City or Montreal would make up the schedule. However, there is a possibility of both races landing themselves from next year onwards. This almost seals the deal for the exit of Richmond Raceway from the Cup Series calendar, with the potential of another track losing its spot.

This led to discussion among the fans online on Reddit, where they shared their views about Richmond being handed the bitter end of the stick. Just because NASCAR remains invested and focused on its idea of attracting a new audience.

Richmond could be the next Chicagoland, according to the fans

This isn’t the first instance where NASCAR has embarked on ambitious plans to promote their racing brand. Chicagoland and Kentucky Speedway are recent examples of how the sport has changed drastically in just a few years. Although Richmond is expected to have a date for 2025, this was enough for fans to predict the detrimental outcome for the track. “I fear Richmond is in danger if they don’t do something. It’s already losing one date so I’m worried.”

Meanwhile, some fans argued NASCAR isn’t helping the track with the dates, which keep changing, year after year. “Look at the dates they gave them this year. Easter night and mid-August when it’s blazing hot. They have given Richmond the worst dates for 2 or 3 years.”

Although the schedule isn’t out yet, NASCAR has confirmed that Phoenix will return next year with the championship race. Hopefully, it preserves both the dates in 2025, and this race fan did not appreciate this, “Pheonix has NEVER deserved two dates. Some ppl may not like that opinion but I believe it.”

Road course races haven’t been popular among old-school fans. Therefore, seeing NASCAR be open to investing in road racing and not improving the ovals has left them fuming. Chiming with a suggestion that could solve this puzzle, a fan proposed which track deserves two dates on the schedule, “Give me 2 of Dega, Daytona, Bristol, and for the love of god the Charlotte oval. Besides that, I’d agree.”

It has to be noted that Richmond is owned by International Speedway Corporation and not by the SMI or NASCAR. While most of the community is concerned about the track’s future with the change in dynamics, this fan had a rather optimistic view of the topic. Agreeing that it may lose one date but will retain a place in the schedule despite the rumors, “Richmond will always have 1 race as long as ISC owns it. No guarantee of 2.”

For the time being, all we can do is make an educated guess on how NASCAR will treat Richmond Raceway. What are your thoughts on this discussion? Is NASCAR making a wise call to shift its races from Richmond to new road course events?