NASCAR Announces 2012 Sprint Cup Schedule

Today NASCAR unveiled the 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule - start planning now to head to your favorite tracks.

The major changes: The Daytona 500 is again a week later due to closing a gap in the schedule in week 3 and to also avoid football conflicts. Kentucky and Daytona flipped their June and July dates. Texas' spring date moved back a week due to the Easter holiday and Kansas Speedway moved to accommodate their re-pave.

Also announced is the consistent start times is here to stay. Per @odsteve "went with 1 and 3 eastern this year then 2 and 3 for Chase, except night, will see how it works for 2012."

Stay tuned next week for the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series schedules.

2012 NASCAR Schedule: 

Saturday, Feb. 18 – Budwesier Shooutout at Daytona

Sunday, Feb. 26 – Daytona 500

Sunday, March 4 – Phoenix

Sunday, March 11 – Las Vegas

Sunday, March 18 – Bristol

Sunday, March 25 – Auto Club Speedway

Sunday, April 1 -- Martinsville

Saturday, April 14 – Texas

Sunday, April 22 -- Kansas

Saturday, April 28 – Richmond

Sunday, May 6 – Talladega

Saturday, May 12 -- Darlington

Saturday, May 19 – All-Star Race at Charlotte

Sunday, May 27 – Coca-Cola 600

Sunday, June 3 -- Dover

Sunday, June 10 – Pocono

Sunday, June 17 -- Michigan

Sunday, June 24 – Infienon

Saturday, June 30 -- Kentucky

Saturday, July 7 – Daytona

Sunday, July 15 – New Hampshire

Sunday, July 29 -- Indianapolis

Sunday, Aug.  5 – Pocono

Sunday, Aug. 12 – Watkins Glen

Sunday, Aug. 19 – Michigan

Saturday, Aug. 25 – Bristol

Sunday, Sept. 2 -- Atlanta

Saturday, Sept. 8 -- Richmond

Sunday, Sept. 16 – Chicagoland (Chase)

Sunday, Sept. 23 – New Hampshire

Sunday, Sept. 30 – Dover

Sunday, Oct. 7 – Talladega

Saturday, Oct. 13 -- Charlotte

Sunday, Oct. 21 – Kansas

Sunday, Oct. 28 -- Martinsville

Sunday, Nov. 4 – Texas

Sunday, Nov. 11 -- Phoenix

Sunday, Nov. 18 -- Homestead