The NASCAR 2027 Cup Series schedule is coming together, with Bristol Motor Speedway being the latest track to announce its race dates. The renowned Bass Pro Shops Night Race will return to its traditional August timing, after five years of being held in September to avoid a clash with a major college football weekend.
Bristol confirmed its signature night race for the weekend of August 12-14, 2027, reinstating the event to the month it occupied for 44 years before shifting to September. This year, the race is set for September 19, coinciding with the Tennessee Volunteers’ college football game.
Thanks for the submission!
With the event moving back to its traditional date, fans on social media have shown mixed reactions. Some are pleased with the decision, while others feel NASCAR has swapped one problem for another. A segment of fans preferred September for its cooler weather.
“Bob, this isn’t going to work… it’s going to be very hot again for the night race. During the day when you’re drinking a case of beer it’ll be 100°+ outside. September was the perfect outside temperature when you’re waking up to a hangover,” one fan wrote.
“Hate to go back to August, September was very comfy,” another fan added.
A third fan echoed similar sentiments:
“Man I was really enjoying those cooler Night races. Bristol is a beast of a track to get to lol rough in August.”
An X user highlighted another scheduling conflict with the August date:
“Right through the Knoxville Nationals again 🫠”
However, many fans backed the return to August, agreeing that avoiding a major college football weekend was a wise choice.
“Asking local fans to miss a Tennessee/Virginia Tech football game wasn’t the right strategy. Good move,” wrote one fan.
“August night race is where it belongs. Well done,” wrote yet another.
One fan expressed hope that the change in date might attract football fans:
“So glad it’s back to August next year. Maybe I can get my @Vol_Football tailgating friend @TN_Dash_ to join me.”
Some fans suggested there should only be one Cup race at Bristol.
“Still say the spring race should go to Wilkesboro and make that summer race the biggest event ever,” one user commented.
“Call me crazy, but the one track in this sport that could absolutely use to lose a date is Bristol,” added another.
The announcement also outlined Bristol Motor Speedway’s 2027 race weekends. The spring event is set for April 9-11, while the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is scheduled for August 12-14. Both weekends will feature the NASCAR Cup Series, Truck Series, and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with the August race no longer part of the Chase.
NASCAR continues locking in its 2027 Cup Series schedule with New Hampshire date confirmed
With Bristol’s dates set, NASCAR is progressing with finalizing the 2027 calendar. Earlier this month, Daytona International Speedway announced The Clash’s return to Speedweeks on February 13, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 21. Daytona also confirmed its regular-season finale weekend, while Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, Phoenix, and Texas have announced their race dates.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway has secured its calendar spot too. The Cup Series will race there on September 26, marking it as the third race of the Chase, with the Craftsman Truck Series also returning to the Loudon weekend.
Currently, confirmed Cup dates include Daytona (Feb. 21), Atlanta (Feb. 28), Circuit of the Americas (Mar. 7), Phoenix (Mar. 14), Bristol (Apr. 11), Texas (May 2), Atlanta II (July 18), Bristol II (Aug. 14), Daytona II (Aug. 28), New Hampshire (Sept. 26), and Phoenix (Oct. 24).
The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte is anticipated to stay on Memorial Day weekend (May 30), while Darlington’s traditional Labor Day weekend (Sep 6) Chase opener is expected to remain once NASCAR completes the schedule announcements.
Edited by Anurup Chakraborty
