Changes to Cup schedule announced

The 2011 calendar will again consist of 36 points race and two non-championship events, starting on February 12 with the Shootout, followed by the Daytona 500 a week later. The second race of the season has moved from Fontana to Phoenix, as California's Auto Club Speedway has lost one of its two dates.

Similarly, Atlanta Motor Speedway has lost its first date and will only be visited on Labor Day weekend in September, while Kansas Speedway will host a first race in June, and keep the October date during the Chase.

The main novelty comes in July as Kentucky Speedway has finally earned a place in the series after successfully hosting Nationwide and Truck series events in the past.

Then in September, the 10-race Chase for the Cup will kick off at Chicagoland Speedway, while New Hampshire Motor Speedway has moved to be the second race in the playoff for the first time since the format was implemented. The first race at Loudon has also moved from late June to mid July.

"The adjustments and realignment of the 2011 schedule will make for an exciting season next year," said NASCAR's Brian France. "The revised schedule provides better situated dates for the tracks, a more challenging line-up for the drivers and ultimately more intrigue for the fans."

Schedules for the Nationwide and Truck series have also been released, the first consisting of 34 races with the new car, while the trucks will compete in 25 events during the season. Both will end with the Cup series in the championship weekend at Homestead on November 20.

2011 NASCAR Cup schedule
Date         Venue
Feb. 12      Daytona (Shootout At Daytona*)
Feb. 13      Daytona 500 qualifying
Feb. 20      Daytona
Feb. 27      Phoenix
March 6      Las Vegas
March 20     Bristol
March 27     Fontana
April 3      Martinsville
April 9      Texas
April 17     Talladega
April 30     Richmond
May 7        Darlington
May 15       Dover
May 21       Charlotte (NASCAR All-Star Race*)
May 29       Charlotte 
June 5       Kansas 
June 12      Pocono 
June 19      Michigan 
June 26      Sears Point
July 2       Daytona 
July 9       Kentucky 
July 17      New Hampshire 
July 31      Indianapolis 
Aug. 7       Pocono 
Aug. 14      Watkins Glen
Aug. 21      Michigan 
Aug. 27      Bristol 
Sept. 4      Atlanta 
Sept. 10     Richmond 
Sept. 18     Chicagoland 
Sept. 25     New Hampshire 
Oct. 2       Dover 
Oct. 9       Kansas 
Oct. 15      Charlotte 
Oct. 23      Talladega 
Oct. 30      Martinsville 
Nov. 6       Texas 
Nov. 13      Phoenix 
Nov. 20      Homestead
* Denotes non-points event.