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For the first time in several years, there isn’t a new buzzy thing on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

The street course race at Naval Air Station North Island will return for a second consecutive season and the inability to close out a return to Grant Park in Chicago means that Chicagoland Speedway will return next season as well.

Additionally, there are no international venues or new venues whatsoever, and the O’Reilly Series has no standalone events whatsoever. For what it’s worth, the Truck Series will return to Canada’s Mosport for the first time since 2019 but it’s largely a familiar national touring schedule in 2027.

During a digital press conference on Wednesday, NASCAR COO Ben Kennedy and executive Julie Giese teased out that their approach to scheduling could change significantly with the next broadcast rights agreement in 2032.

“We're thinking about 2028 (through) 2030, where do we want to go in the next few years,” said Kennedy. “I know Steve (O’Donnell, president) has mentioned this a handful of times, but what is that we want to do as we approach 2032 and the next media rights cycle, and putting all of our cards on the table.

“I think that's an opportunity for us to think big and bold, and then over the next several years, we'll certainly be working backwards from there, but we want to continue to put out the best schedule we possibly can for the sport and for our fans.”

Earlier in the summer, the Sanctioning Body hired ex-UFC executive Adam Layton as senior vice president of NASCAR International.

For now, Kennedy says NASCAR’s international strategy is focused on North America, largely meaning eyeing additional opportunities in Mexico and Canada.

“Just logistically speaking, it's much simpler for us to either go north of the border or south of the border and back given that we don't have many off-weeks in this schedule,” Kennedy said. “So I think that's an opportunity.