It appears that NASCAR will be returning to Circuit of the Americas next season.

That’s just one of a few questions looking ahead to next year’s schedule.

Speedway Motorsports rents the track to host the NASCAR weekend at the Austin, Texas, road course and there’s an option to hold the event there in 2024.

Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, hinted Thursday that the plan was to return to that track next year.

“I think Austin is a great market for NASCAR,” Smith said in response to a question. “COTA is a world-class facility. I think it’s great for NASCAR. I think it’s great for us to be there. So we’re moving forward with COTA and looking forward to working with them in the future.”

Another key question is what will be the future of the Bristol Dirt race. This will be the third running of the event and the second time it has been held at night on Easter.

“Looking into next year, I can tell you that we’re starting to look at the calendar,” Smith said. “I think it’s been a success when you consider the challenges that we’ve had. We sold more tickets this year going into this weekend than we had last year. Really pleased with that.”

Another question is about the street course race in Chicago. The city elected a new mayor Tuesday in Brandon Johnson. During a March 2 interview with NBC 5 in Chicago, Johnson was asked about if he would allow the NASCAR race and Lollapalooza to keep going as contracted.

“I would have to look at those contracts,” Johnson said in the interview. “That’s going to be important. But what I can say is moving forward under my administration, decisions that are made for the city of Chicago have to be made in a collective, collaborative way.

“That’s the type of leader that I am and have been as a teacher and an organizer and a Cook County Commissioner. You have to be collaborative. You have to be competent and compassionate. These are the characteristics I bring to the (city) and I’m looking to have people who work alongside of me to have the same characteristics.”

NASCAR’s contract with Chicago calls for the event to be held in 2023-25. NASCAR may request to extend the deal through 2027.

The city of Chicago can terminate the agreement “at any time for convenience by providing NASCAR with prior written notice at least 180 days prior to the next Event. NASCAR shall not be entitled to any compensation or expectation damages due to termination by the District.”

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