Not only was the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule released on Wednesday but so was the NASCAR Xfinity Series as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ too. Here are my takeaways from them.
Xfinity Series Road Warriors
As for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a pair of road courses join the schedule for the first time in its four-decade history, as Names Will Be Made at Sonoma Raceway (June 10) and the Chicago Street Race (July 1). They’ll join COTA (March 25), Portland (June 3), Road America (July 29), Indianapolis (Aug. 12), Watkins Glen (Aug. 19) and the Charlotte ROVAL (Oct. 7) on the schedule.
MORE: Top takeaways from the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule
That’s 8 of 33 races (24%) taking place on road courses.
Xfinity/Truck Swap Out Sonoma
Last year was the return of the Truck Series to Sonoma. However, it was a one-and-done. Next year though, it’s the Xfinity Series turn in wine country.
For the first time ever, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will challenge the picturesque rolling hills of Sonoma Raceway at the DoorDash 250 on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
NASCAR announced today the Xfinity Series will join the NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Sonoma Raceway next year for the first time in the history of the series as part of its full 2023 season schedule release. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race will return to Sonoma Raceway on Sunday June 11, 2023.
The Xfinity Series is a proving ground for up-and-coming NASCAR Cup Series drivers and has produced some of NASCAR’s biggest stars. Fans will be treated to three days of racing action over the weekend.
“We are thrilled to have the Xfinity Series racing here in Sonoma for the first time ever,” said raceway executive vice president and general manager Jill Gregory. “This is part of our promise to our fans to keep raising the bar. And we expect several of the Cup Series racers to pull double duty and run the Xfinity Series race as well.”
The 2023 date remains fixed on the same weekend as this past June. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 will span 110 laps and will run the historically popular chute configuration, adding to the fan experience with more opportunities for passing and on-track action.
Practice and qualifying times, other companion events and TV broadcast information will be provided at a later date.
This event comes a week after the Portland race.
Xfinity Series Playoffs
This is also a change as Bristol moves from the regular season finale to an opening round race. Talladega moves out of the playoffs to make this work meaning Round 1 will be Bristol, Texas, Charlotte ROVAL with Round 2 being Las Vegas, Homestead and Martinsville. The series will culminate with its championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Milwaukee Is Back In Trucks, New Races Getting Put In Playoffs
This past year, IRP was brought back to the schedule. As the date and luck would have it, the race would lineup as the playoff opener. This year, Milwaukee makes a return. They’ll now be the 2nd race of the playoffs.
NASCAR is strategic. By bringing old tracks back, they’re doing so by giving them important dates on the schedule which further boosts attention to it.
What’s old is new for the ‘Tough Trucks’ as CRAFTSMAN returns to the series, as does a race at the historic Milwaukee Mile. Trucks will make a return to the Milwaukee Mile Speedway for the second race of the Round of 10 on Sunday, August 27. The visit will mark the first time the Trucks have returned to Brew City since 2009.
Knoxville Traded For Bristol
Knoxville is now off the schedule but instead of not having a dirt race for just the 2nd time since 2013, they added the Truck Series to the Bristol weekend again.
2023 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE
| Date | Race / Track |
| Saturday, February 18 | Daytona |
| Saturday, February 25 | Auto Club |
| Saturday, March 4 | Las Vegas |
| Saturday, March 11 | Phoenix |
| Saturday, March 18 | Atlanta |
| Saturday, March 25 | COTA |
| Saturday, April 1 | Richmond |
| Saturday, April 15 | Martinsville |
| Saturday, April 22 | Talladega |
| Saturday, April 29 | Dover |
| Saturday, May 13 | Darlington |
| Saturday, May 27 | Charlotte |
| Saturday, June 3 | Portland |
| Saturday, June 10 | Sonoma |
| Saturday, June 24 | Nashville Superspeedway |
| Saturday, July 1 | Chicago Street Race |
| Saturday, July 8 | Atlanta |
| Saturday, July 15 | New Hampshire |
| Saturday, July 22 | Pocono |
| Saturday, July 29 | Road America |
| Saturday, August 5 | Michigan |
| Saturday, August 12 | Indianapolis Road Course |
| Saturday, August 19 | Watkins Glen |
| Friday, August 25 | Daytona |
| Saturday, September 2 | Darlington |
| Saturday, September 9 | Kansas |
| Friday, September 15 | Bristol |
| Saturday, September 23 | Texas |
| Saturday, October 7 | Charlotte Roval |
| Saturday, October 14 | Las Vegas |
| Saturday, October 21 | Homestead-Miami |
| Saturday, October 28 | Martinsville |
| Saturday, November 4 | Phoenix (Championship) |
2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE
| Date | Race / Track |
| Friday, February 17 | Daytona |
| Friday, March 3 | Las Vegas |
| Saturday, March 18 | Atlanta |
| Saturday, March 25 | COTA |
| Saturday, April 1 | Texas |
| Saturday, April 8 | Bristol Dirt |
| Friday, April 14 | Martinsville |
| Saturday, May 6 | Kansas |
| Friday, May 12 | Darlington |
| Saturday, May 20 | North Wilkesboro |
| Friday, May 26 | Charlotte |
| Saturday, June 3 | World Wide Technology Raceway |
| Friday, June 23 | Nashville Superspeedway |
| Saturday, July 8 | Mid-Ohio |
| Saturday, July 22 | Pocono |
| Saturday, July 29 | Richmond |
| Friday, August 11 | Lucas Oil IRP |
| Sunday, August 27 | Milwaukee |
| Friday, September 8 | Kansas |
| Thursday, September 14 | Bristol |
| Saturday, September 30 | Talladega |
| Saturday, October 21 | Homestead-Miami |
| Friday, November 3 | Phoenix (Championship) |
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