Dover returning to points paying race in 2027

After hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race this season, Dover Motor Speedway will return to hosting a points paying race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule for 2027.

The move is one that drivers advocated for throughout the All-Star weekend.

The race will run on Sunday, May 16, and will be a 400 mile race as traditionally with Dover. There is no title sponsor announcement at the moment. It will likely be the 12th points paying race of the season based on dates announced by NASCAR so far.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will run on Saturday, May 15 for the BetRivers 200. However, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will not return to Dover after only returning to the series for one season.

In exchange for getting it’s point race back, Speedway Motorsports will move the All-Star Race back to North Wilkesboro in 2027.

The move will additionally bump the Northeastern United States back up to four points paying races. Dover will rejoin Pocono, New Hampshire, and Watkins Glen in hosting points races in the Northeast for 2027.

Could it sell out with the move?

Dover becoming a points race again during a month of favorable weather also gives the track a chance at something they haven’t done in years. Sell out the grandstands. With various tracks dropping to one date, NASCAR has seen a growing trend of grandstand sellouts. After losing one of two points races, tracks such as Pocono, Richmond, New Hampshire, Texas, and Michigan have had sellouts this decade.

In fact, Dover sold more tickets for the All-Star Race this year than in 2025 when the race was held in July. With more favorable weather in the middle of May in Dover, the track could have a chance at a sellout.

Dover fans win with the move

In a press release about the points race, Mike Tatoian, the president and general manager of Dover Motor Speedway said, “Whether it’s a points race, an All-Star Race or a Chase race, one thing never changes—we work for the fans.”

Cited in the press release, Dover is also regarded as having one of the most popular fan zones on the Cup schedule. Attractions have included Miles Beach, the World’s Largest Rubber Duck, and plenty of others.

Dover returning as a points race in 2027 will be a much welcomed move among fans and drivers. The Monster Mile will strike again with a full field of cars.