NASCAR releases 2016 schedule; no new tracks through 2020 season

Start your calendars. NASCAR has released the 2016 schedule for its Sprint Cup series, and while the dates change a bit, the tracks remain the same.

Of note: NASCAR extended its agreements with all tracks through at least 2020, so there will be no additional tracks on the schedule until then. The only way Iowa or any other track would be added would be if an existing owner were to purchase the track and move a current date, as happened several years back with Atlanta and Kentucky.

The season once again begins before Valentine’s Day and ends just before Thanksgiving. There are a few minor changes:

• Bristol’s second race moves a week earlier to accommodate the September Virginia Tech-Tennessee game at the track.

• Daytona’s summer race will once again be a Saturday night race after this year’s Sunday race suffered rain delays.

• The series’ breaks will come on March 27, June 19 and August 14.

• The schedule format for the Chase for the Sprint Cup remains unchanged, with Dover, Talladega and Phoenix serving as elimination dates.

Feb. 13 Sprint Unlimited
Feb. 18 Can-Am Duel at Daytona
Feb. 21 Daytona
Feb. 28 Atlanta
March 6 Las Vegas
March 13 Phoenix
March 20 Auto Club
April 3 Martinsville
April 9 Texas
April 17 Bristol
April 24 Richmond
May 1 Talladega
May 7 Kansas
May 15 Dover
May 21 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
May 29 Charlotte
June 5 Pocono
June 12 Michigan
June 26 Sonoma
July 2 Daytona
July 9 Kentucky
July 17 New Hampshire
July 24 Indianapolis
July 31 Pocono
Aug. 7 Watkins Glen
Aug. 20 Bristol
Aug. 28 Michigan
Sept. 4 Darlington
Sept. 10 Richmond
Sept. 18 Chicagoland
Sept. 25 New Hampshire
Oct. 2 Dover
Oct. 8 Charlotte
Oct. 16 Kansas
Oct. 23 Talladega
Oct. 30 Martinsville
Nov. 6 Texas
Nov. 13 Phoenix
Nov. 20 Homestead-Miami