With Chicago on hold, NASCAR announced Wednesday that it is headed to San Diego next summer to host a new street race weekend on an active naval base.

NASCAR has raced on the streets of Chicago the past three years. Beginning next year, it'll be the streets around San Diego's naval base.

NASCAR released an official statement announcing a pause on the Chicago street race in 2026. The event has been dropped from the sport's calendar for next year so that NASCAR could work with the City of Chicago to form a plan that "further optimizes operational efficiencies." The objective is to bring the street race back in 2027.

NASCAR's acknowledgment that it hopes to revive the Joliet facility comes just days after the organization hit pause on the Chicago Street Race downtown. NASCAR said it hopes to return to the downtown streets in 2027, though there is no guarantee that will happen.

NASCAR officials are pausing the annual Fourth of July weekend race next year to work on finding a new date and optimizing its setup and the breakdown of the course.

NASCAR is pressing pause on its Chicago Street Race, answering at least one major question about its schedule for next season.

NASCAR is hitting pause on its Chicago Street Race for a year, officials said. In a statement, NASCAR officials said they will not be returning to the Loop for the Chicago Street Race in 2026 "to afford us the time necessary to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago."

After three years of Fourth of July weekend racing, NASCAR is hitting the brakes on 2026, telling Mayor Brandon Johnson in a letter that it needs time "to explore a new potential race date."

NASCAR said it hopes to return in 2027, but noted the need to find a new potential date as part of the difficulties for next season.

NASCAR is pumping the brakes on the Chicago Street Race, opting not to return in 2026 but keeping the door open for a potential resurrection in 2027. The racing body sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson today informing the city of its decision.