Traditionally, NASCAR has steered clear of scheduling races on Easter Sunday itself, acknowledging the significance of the religious holiday for many fans and personnel. This practice aimed to ensure that those observing Easter could do so freely without conflicts.
However, NASCAR’s stance on Easter weekend races has evolved in recent years. While the series typically avoids hosting races directly on Easter Sunday, this isn’t always the case. Races might be held on the surrounding days, and in a recent exception, a NASCAR Cup Series race took place on Easter Sunday in 2022. This move sparked debate, as it marked the first Easter Sunday race since 1989. Nascar has decided not to host any race on Easter weekend 2024.
Let’s delve deeper into the factors influencing NASCAR’s scheduling decisions around Easter weekend, exploring the reasons behind the traditional avoidance and the recent shift in approach.
Previous Nascar Races Held on Easter Sunday
| Date | Track – Race Winner | Reason for Scheduling on Easter |
| Sunday, April 5, 1953 | Charlotte Speedway – Dick Passwater | Scheduled for March 22, 1953; Postponed due to rain. |
| Sunday, April 18, 1954 | Hillsboro – Herb Thomas | Scheduled for April 11, 1954; Postponed due to rain. |
| Sunday, April 17, 1960 | Wilson Speedway – Joe Weatherly | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, April 2, 1961 | Hillsboro – Cotton Owens | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, April 22, 1962 | Martinsville – Richard Petty | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, April 14, 1963 | South Boston – Richard Petty | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, April 18, 1965 | North Wilkesboro – Jr. Johnson | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, April 6, 1969 | Hickory – Bobby Isaac | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, March 29, 1970 | Atlanta – Bobby Allison | Scheduled Date |
| Sunday, March 26, 1989 | Richmond – Rusty Wallace | Scheduled for February 27, 1989; Postponed due to snow. |
| Sunday, April 17, 2022 | Bristol Dirt – Kyle Busch | Scheduled Date |
Throughout its history, NASCAR has occasionally scheduled Cup Series events on Easter Weekend, spanning from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Notably, North Carolina observed Easter Monday as a public holiday from 1935 to 1987. The first Easter Weekend Cup race took place on April 12, 1952, at Columbia Speedway, where Buck Baker claimed victory. In 1964, 1966, and 1967, races were held on Saturday at Greenville Pickens Speedway and on Monday at Bowman Gray Stadium. A significant milestone occurred on Easter Saturday, April 11, 1971, when NASCAR broadcasted a Cup Series race live from start to finish for the first time on national television, courtesy of ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
Is Nascar Race Happening on Easter Sunday?
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season will kick off with the pre-season exhibition race at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on February 4th at 8 p.m. EST, broadcasted on FOX. For the third consecutive year, the NASCAR Mexico Series will join the event, competing just before the Cup Series race.
In a notable change, the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway will return to its concrete surface, bidding farewell to the dirt configuration. However, the race will not happen on Easter Sunday 2024 date, the race will now take place at 7 p.m. EST on FOX, with Richmond Raceway taking over the Easter Sunday slot.
Texas Motor Speedway, previously the opening race of the Round of 12 in the playoffs, has been removed from the postseason schedule. Instead, it will serve as the ninth race of the regular season, scheduled for April 14th.