JOLIET, IL - JULY 05: Chase Elliott 9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet waves to the crowd during driver introductions before the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series eero 400 on July 5, 2026, at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 05 NASCAR Cup Series eero 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260705256400
JOLIET, IL - JULY 05: Chase Elliott 9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet waves to the crowd during driver introductions before the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series eero 400 on July 5, 2026, at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 05 NASCAR Cup Series eero 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260705256400
The grueling NASCAR schedule has once again come under scrutiny in recent weeks. As the Cup Series schedule continues to span almost the whole year, several drivers have been pushing for a shorter calendar. However, this debate has created a divide among the fans.
When compared to other divisions of motorsports like Formula One and IndyCar, NASCAR has one of the most demanding race schedules. The calendar features a 36-point paying race while the other two are exhibition races.
Out of the 38 weeks, the teams and drivers have only two weekends off between February and November. The debate about whether the schedule should be shortened has once again taken the spotlight as The Daily Downforce posted a question for the NASCAR fans on their X account.
"How many off weeks do y'all think is the sweet spot for the Cup Series?" the question posted by The Daily Downforce via their X account read.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 26: Corey Heim 35 23XI Open Toyota GR Camry races down the front stretch ahead of Christopher Bell 20 Joe Gibbs Racing JGR Toyota GR Camry on the final lap of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Brickyard 400 on July 26, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 26 NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon116260726014
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 26: Corey Heim 35 23XI Open Toyota GR Camry races down the front stretch ahead of Christopher Bell 20 Joe Gibbs Racing JGR Toyota GR Camry on the final lap of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Brickyard 400 on July 26, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUL 26 NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon116260726014
This has been an issue that has been raised by the drivers for a while now. Back in 2025, during an interview with Rubbin’ is Racing, Bubba Wallace opened up about wanting to cut down the Cup Series schedule.
“I think we all are agreeing that it’s too long, but I don’t know if we’re ready to have the conversation of what it’s going to take to condense it the right way,” Wallace said during the podcast.
Coming back to the question, it caught the eyes of many NASCAR fans.
NASCAR fans give their opinion on shortening the Cup Series schedule
Under the post shared by Daily Downforce on their X account, many fans expressed their views about the topic.
One fan argued that NASCAR’s current schedule seems too long. They commented,
"Honestly? 5 off weekends for Cup. The schedule needs to be smaller. I would say 30-ish races. The 38 weekends is too much. The need to cut it back to close to 30. They could do a Saturday sprint race here and there, or doubleheaders. But I am fine with off weekends."
A fan expressed their support towards the driver and the team's stance. They wrote,
"I honestly don't care. If the drivers and teams feel they need more off weekends then I support them. I've got CFB, NFL, UFC, and other forms of racing to keep me occupied. I just want the NASCAR races we do have to be good."
Another fan proposed spacing out the off weekends through the season. They commented,
"Three: One during Easter, One during the summer, One before the Chase."
A fan humorously pushed back against the proposal. They wrote,
"Terrible time to ask this question. All my yard work is done washed the dog and truck. Now what no race? I am forces to watch another race from the past, Iam running out of past races to watch lol."
In recent weeks, the push to shorten the races has also been in the spotlight. Expressing the frustration around the shortening of the schedule and the race itself, one fan commented.
"What is the sudden fixation with less racing? "How much should we shorten races?" "How many races should we take off schedule?" "Should we have more off weeks?" Wherever this is coming from it certainly isn't from the fans who make the sport possible."
Do you think NASCAR should shorten the schedule? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco