Cup cars race during championship race at Phoenix

Analyzing the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

By Staff Report | Published: 4 Jan, 2023 40

Joe Scarnici | Getty Images

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Joe Scarnici | Getty Images

The 2022 season marked an eventful and historic year for the NASCAR Cup Series, leading into NASCAR's 75th anniversary celebration. With the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season inching closer, take a look at each race and track on the docket for the premier series field this year.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: A view of the flyover during the national anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum

The track: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The date: Feb. 5 on FOX

The rundown: The 2022 rendition of the race saw the official introduction of the Next Gen car and additionally saw Joey Logano claim the inaugural win. An expanded field to 27 cars should make the 2023 spectacle that much more exciting.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations Duel #1 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

The races: Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 and 2 at Daytona

The track: Daytona International Speedway

The date: Feb. 16 on FS1

The rundown: A doubleheader primer will provide two additional opportunities for the Cup field to prep for the Daytona 500 season-opener. Each race will stretch for 60 laps on the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: A general view of racing during the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images

The race: Daytona 500

The track: Daytona International Speedway

The date: Feb. 19 on FOX

The rundown: Rookie Austin Cindric conquered the "Great American Race" in last year's contest. The 2023 edition of the crown jewel will be the 65th running.

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FONTANA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: A general view of racing during the NASCAR Cup Series Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway on February 27, 2022 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

The race: Pala Casino 400

The track: Auto Club Speedway

The date: Feb. 26 on FOX

The rundown: The 2023 race will be the track's last in the current 2-mile configuration.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, lead the field to start the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

The race: Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube

The track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The date: March 5 on FOX

The rundown: The annual tradition of making an early spring trip to the "Sin City" will continue in 2023. Alex Bowman claimed the 2022 victory by 0.178 seconds.

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Mahindra Tractors Ford, Garrett Smithley, driver of the #15 Jacob Companies Ford, Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally/Best Friends Chevrolet, and BJ McLeod, driver of the #78 Premier Business Investments Ford, race during the the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 13, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Logan Riely | Getty Images

The race: Ruoff Mortgage 500

The track: Phoenix Raceway

The date: March 12 on FOX

The rundown: Two Fords found Victory Lane at the desert last season, starting with Chase Briscoe's 2022 spring win.

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HAMPTON, GEORGIA - MARCH 20: A general view of racing during the NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, 2022 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

The race: Ambetter Health 400

The track: Atlanta Motor Speedway

The date: March 19 on FOX

The rundown: 2022 marked the first year for the new-look track, which underwent a major repave and reconfiguration before the season.

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 27: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 CommScope Chevrolet, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, lead the field to start he NASCAR Cup Series Echopark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 27, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Dylan Buell | Getty Images

The race: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

The track: Circuit of The Americas

The date: March 26 on FOX

The rundown: NASCAR will start its five-race road course stint in 2023 with a showing in Austin, Texas. 2023 will be NASCAR's third consecutive year racing at the track.

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - APRIL 03: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 03, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: Toyota Owners 400

The track: Richmond Raceway

The date: April 2 on FS1

The rundown: Two Cup Series mainstays in Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick won at the track last season, with the former winning in early April.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - APRIL 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Mars Crunchy Cookie Toyota, Tyler Reddick, driver of the #8 3CHI Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

The race: Food City Dirt Race

The track: Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track

The date: April 9 on FOX

The rundown: 2023 will be the third year where the Cup Series takes to the dirt on the half-mile short track.

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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - APRIL 09: William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, and Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 LLumar Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 at Martinsville Speedway on April 09, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

The race: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville

The track: Martinsville Speedway

The date: April 16 on FS1

The rundown: Toyota and Chevrolet have dominated at the track as of late as both manufacturers have won each of the last seven total races at the track, dating back to October 2019. William Byron won the 2022 April race.

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TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 24: A general view of racing from the grandstands during the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 24, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Gilbert | Getty Images

The race: GEICO 500

The track: Talladega Superspeedway

The date: April 23 on FOX

The rundown: The magic that comes from the superspeedway always brings excitement. 2023 will look to be no different.

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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 08: A general view of pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 08, 2022 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Emilee Chinn | Getty Images

The race: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover

The track: Dover Motor Speedway

The date: April 30 on FS1

The rundown: Starting at the "Monster Mile," Chase Elliott picked up his first of five victories in 2022.

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

The race: AdventHealth 400

The track: Kansas Speedway

The date: May 7 on FS1

The rundown: 267 laps for 400 miles will make up the contest. Kurt Busch won the May showing last year.

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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 08: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 08, 2022 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Emilee Chinn | Getty Images

The race: Goodyear 400

The track: Darlington Raceway

The date: May 14 on FS1

The rundown: From throwback paint schemes to entertaining races, 2023 will look to continue the tradition at the "Lady in Black."

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Adam Fenwick | NASCAR Studios

The race: NASCAR All-Star Race

The track: North Wilkesboro Speedway

The date: May 21 on FS1

The rundown: For the first time since 1996, the NASCAR Cup Series will race at the cherished track. With renovations currently underway, the excitement for North Wilkesboro's return will only heighten as the days continue onward.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 29: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2022 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

James Gilbert | Getty Images

The race: Coca-Cola 600

The track: Charlotte Motor Speedway

The date: May 28 on FOX

The rundown: A longtime Cup Series staple saw Denny Hamlin conquer the race of attrition in 2022.

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The NASCAR Cup field races at World Wide Technology Raceway

Jeff Curry | Getty Images

The race: Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter

The track: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway

The date: June 4 on FS1

The rundown: After an inaugural Cup Series race at the track in 2022, the field will return in 2023. Joey Logano won the 2022 rendition after besting Kyle Busch in a down-to-the-wire overtime finish.

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SONOMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Ford Performance Racing School Ford, Joey Hand, driver of the #15 Built Ford Proud Ford, and AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Goldfish Casino Slots Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

The race: Toyota/Save Mart 350

The track: Sonoma Raceway

The date: June 11 on FOX

The rundown: The second Cup Series road course in 2023 will be a familiar one. The June race will be the track's 34th running.

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LEBANON, TENNESSEE - JUNE 26: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Pedigree Toyota, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 26, 2022 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

The race: Ally 400

The track: Nashville Superspeedway

The date: June 25 on NBC

The rundown: Hendrick Motorsports will look to make the third time an even greater charm in 2023 at the track. Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott won the 2021 and 2022 races at the track, respectively.

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Getty Images

The race: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Chicago

The track: Chicago Street Course

The date: July 2 on NBC

The rundown: NASCAR will make history once again come summer as the circuit will take to downtown Chicago. The race will act as the series' first on a street layout.

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The green flag waves for the Cup summer race at Atlanta

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart

The track: Atlanta Motor Speedway

The date: July 9 on USA

The rundown: Chase Elliott won three of five races between June 26 and July 24. Sandwiched between a Nashville and Pocono win was a dub at his home track during the stretch. Will 2023 see a similar result?

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James Gilbert | Getty Images

The race: Crayon 301

The track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

The date: July 16 on USA

The rundown: The New England trek will be the track's 52nd running in the Cup Series.

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Logan Riely | Getty Images

The race: M&M's Fan Appreciation 400

The track: Pocono Raceway

The date: July 23 on USA

The rundown: The Cup field will race around the "Tricky Triangle" for 400 miles in 160 laps.

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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Richmond

The track: Richmond Raceway

The date: July 30 on USA

The rundown: 300 miles within 400 laps will remain identical to the April race.

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Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

The race: FireKeepers Casino 400

The track: Michigan International Speedway

The date: Aug. 6 on USA

The rundown: A 65-race drought without a win might have plagued Kevin Harvick before. But after the No. 4 driver's 2022 win at the track, the curse was no more. Perhaps this magic will prevail for an eager driver in 2023, too.

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Logan Riely | Getty Images

The race: Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

The track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

The date: Aug. 13 on NBC

The rundown: The race at the Brickyard will act as the first of two races on road courses in back-to-back weeks.

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Sean Gardner | Getty Images

The race: Go Bowling at the Glen

The track: Watkins Glen International

The date: Aug. 20 on USA

The rundown: Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won each of the last four races at the track (Chase Elliott in 2018-19 and Kyle Larson in 2021-22).

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Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

The race: Coke Zero Sugar 400

The track: Daytona International Speedway

The date: Aug. 26 on NBC

The rundown: What begins the regular season will additionally end it. With what turned out to be an action-packed finale in 2022, 2023 will look to add to the luster.

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The NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: Cook Out Southern 500 (Round of 16)

The track: Darlington Raceway

The date: Sept. 3 on USA

The rundown: Playoff drivers will not be the only ones vying for a win by this juncture. Non-playoff drivers will, too. Look no further than Erik Jones, who won to open the Round of 16 in 2022.

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Bubba Wallace, driver of the #45 ROOT Insurance Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

The race: Hollywood Casino 400 presented by Barstool Sportsbook (Round of 16)

The track: Kansas Speedway

The date: Sept. 10 on USA

The rundown: Bubba Wallace picked up his second career Cup victory during last year's late-season running.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 17: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Ford BlueOval City Ford, and Chase Briscoe, driver of the #14 Magical Vacation Planner Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

The race: Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Round of 16)

The track: Bristol Motor Speedway

The date: Sept. 16 on USA

The rundown: A 500-lapper at "The Last Great Coliseum" to close out the Round of 16? Oh, most definitely. The atmosphere will look to be exuberant.

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Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 RoushParts.com Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 AAA Insurance Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Auto Trader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 25, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jonathan Bachman | Getty Images

The race: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (Round of 12)

The track: Texas Motor Speedway

The date: Sept. 24 on USA

The rundown: Tyler Reddick capped off a career 2022 with a Round of 12 win at the track during the 2022 postseason.

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The pack races at Talladega as a plane flies behind Turn 2

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

The race: YellaWood 500 (Round of 12)

The track: Talladega Superspeedway

The date: Oct. 1 on NBC

The rundown: Some things just go hand-in-hand with each other. In this case, Talladega and postseason action.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/Richmond Ford, Todd Gilliland, driver of the #38 First Phase Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 09, 2022 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: Bank of America ROVAL 400 (Round of 12)

The track: Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course

The date: Oct. 8 on NBC

The rundown: Christopher Bell overcame elimination with a clutch win during last year's running on the track.

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Jonathan Bachman | Getty Images

The race: South Point 400 (Round of 8)

The track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The date: Oct. 15 on NBC

The rundown: Joey Logano tallied his third career win at the track during last year's running in the Round of 8.

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HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23, 2022 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared East/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared East | Getty Images

The race: Dixie Vodka 400 (Round of 8)

The track: Homestead-Miami Speedway

The date: Oct. 22 on NBC

The rundown: A dominant performance by Kyle Larson almost went into perfect game territory by NASCAR standards. The No. 5 driver led 199 of 267 laps en route to a convincing win.

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Stacy Revere | Getty Images

The race: Xfinity 500 (Round of 8)

The track: Martinsville Speedway

The date: Oct. 29 on NBC

The rundown: So much to say about the 2022 fall race, yet so little time. Christopher Bell held off elimination with another clutch win, and Ross Chastain pulled off a "Hail Melon" of video game proportions. Needless to say, if 2022 was a good indicator, 2023's running could turn out to be a spectacular one.

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 06: A general view from the hillside during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 06, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

The race: NASCAR Cup Series Championship (Championship 4)

The track: Phoenix Raceway

The date: Nov. 5 on NBC

The rundown: Tentatively slated for nine months to the day of the opening at the Clash at the Coliseum, the concluding race of the 2023 campaign will look to bring the same flavor of excitement as previous championship races.

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Analyzing the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule