Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reacts To Major 2026 NASCAR Rumors

Earnhardt expressed hope that the city of San Diego might replace Chicago if needs be. Though in his perfect world, NASCAR would be racing in both Chicago and San Diego while potentially parting ways with Mexico City. 

“I don’t know if they’ll go back. I hear that San Diego is going to take its place,” Earnhardt stated. “There will be a street course in San Diego of some type. That is what will take Chicago’s place. It doesn’t mean that Chicago can’t still exist. Maybe Mexico City goes away, and Chicago shifts to a different part of the schedule, I don’t know. I think there’s a potential where you could see us racing at Chicago and San Diego, for sure. There’s a world where that exists.”

But Earnhardt recognized that NASCAR might not be keen on adding yet another road course since they already have several.

“I don’t think that they’re adding another road course,” he said. “Whatever the number is today, that will be the number next year, but I don’t know which race tracks it’s going to be. I’m feeling like the San Diego deal is done. People will say it’s not done, but I feel like it’s done.

“And then it’s like 50/50 between going back to Chicago or going back to Mexico City. Then you always have the hope that we get to Montreal again, and I think it’s NASCAR’s intention to get there. That might not happen next year.”

Will NASCAR be leaving Chicago next season?