NASCAR makes major swing to change schedule for 2018

NASCAR announced on Tuesday, May 23, that the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule would have a significant change next year.

It will start with the "Great American Race" being moved back to its old traditional date on Presidents Day weekend on February 18th.  It will be the start of a swing of changes to the schedule revamping for next season.

The three-quarter mile Richmond International Raceway will move from being the last race before the playoffs to being the second race in the playoffs next season.  It's spring event in April will also have another change returning to being a night race on April 21.

Chicagoland Speedway will be moved from being the first race in the playoffs in the past to being July 1st right before the historical July Speedweeks Coke Zero 400 at Daytona.  Making a solid start to NBC Sports run on TV next season with two huge events.

One of the more noticeable moves on the schedule is Indianapolis Motor Speedway taking over the cut off race before the playoffs begin next season. But even bigger is the move that Charlotte Motor Speedway has coming for 2018.  It's October race that is traditionally a 500 miler on the 1.5 mile oval will now be on the track's road course in the infield.  It adds all types of tracks to the playoff scenario for 2018.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway will also host two events next season starting with its traditional date in March and then another race to kick off the Playoffs.  

2018 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE
Feb. 11: Daytona International Speedway (Clash / Daytona 500 Qualifying)
Feb. 15: Daytona International Speedway (Duel)
Feb. 18: Daytona 500
Feb. 25: Atlanta Motor Speedway
March 4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 11: Phoenix Raceway
March 18: Auto Club Speedway
March 25: Martinsville Speedway
April 8: Texas Motor Speedway
April 15: Bristol Motor Speedway
April 21: Richmond International Raceway
April 29: Talladega Superspeedway
May 6: Dover International Speedway
May 12: Kansas Speedway
May 19: Charlotte Motor Speedway (Monster Energy All-Star Race)
May 27 : Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 3: Pocono Raceway
June 10: Michigan International Speedway
June 24: Sonoma Raceway
July 1: Chicagoland Speedway
July 7: Daytona International Speedway
July 14: Kentucky Speedway
July 22: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
July 29: Pocono Raceway
Aug. 5: Watkins Glen International
Aug. 12: Michigan International Speedway
Aug. 18: Bristol Motor Speedway
Sept. 2: Darlington Raceway
Sept. 9: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sept. 16: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sept. 22: Richmond International Raceway
Sept. 30: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Oct. 7: Dover International Speedway
Oct. 14: Talladega Superspeedway
Oct. 21: Kansas Speedway
Oct. 28: Martinsville Speedway
Nov. 4: Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 11: Phoenix Raceway
Nov. 18: Homestead-Miami Speedway