2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series will be the 69th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 46th modern-era Cup series season. The season will begin at Daytona International Speedway with the Sprint Unlimited, the Can-Am Duel and the Daytona 500. The season will end with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, consisting of 36 races.
The series will have a new title sponsor since Sprint Nextel will not renew their contract after the 2016 season. The season also marks the third season of a new television contract. During the season, races will be broadcast in the United States by Fox Sports and NBC Sports.
Signed teams and drivers
Chartered teams
Changes
Driver changes
Clint Bowyer will leave HScott Motorsports to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing in the No. 14 car as Tony Stewart will retire at the conclusion of the 2016 season.[2]
Manufacturer changes
- Stewart-Haas Racing will switch to Ford from Chevrolet. As part of the transition, Roush-Yates will provide engines to the team.[3]
Schedule
The final calendar – comprising 36 races, as well as exhibition races, which are the Sprint Unlimited, Can-Am Duel qualifying duel races for the Daytona 500 and the Sprint All-Star Race – was released on May 5, 2016.[4]
Key changes from 2016 include:
- The Daytona 500 is held one week later.
- The Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway will move from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.
- The AAA 400 Drive for Autism will move after the Coca-Cola 600 before the Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400.
- Bristol and Michigan swap their August race dates.
- Talladega and Kansas swap their October race dates.
References
- ^ "2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team / Driver Chart". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ Jensen, Tom (September 30, 2015). "Stewart to retire from Cup after '16, Bowyer named replacement". Fox Sports. Kannapolis, North Carolina: Fox Sports Interactive Media. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ James, Brant (February 24, 2016). "Stewart-Haas Racing leaving Chevrolet for Ford in 2017". USA Today. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ^ "NASCAR Announces 2017 National Series Schedules". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group. May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.