IndyCar News: NASCAR deems IndyCar stronghold Portland track substandard

NASCAR’s decision to axe Portland International Raceway from its 2026 calendar underscores a harsh reality: the track’s substandard facilities have simply fallen short of the sport’s professional standards.

Standards IndyCar apparently feels are acceptable as they have raced there for years and put up with it.

Released on August 20, the new schedule confirms that the Pacific Northwest venue, which hosted its final NASCAR event with the Xfinity Series’ Pacific Office Automation 147 last weekend, won’t be back. While geography has long been a point of contention for the region’s racing fans, insiders reveal that the real culprit is the circuit’s outdated and inadequate infrastructure—a clear sign that NASCAR views Portland as a subpar facility unfit for modern competition.

Outdated Infrastructure: The Core Issue Behind NASCAR’s Exit

At the heart of NASCAR’s dissatisfaction lies Portland’s glaring deficiencies, which have rendered the track increasingly unviable. BRK Racing owner Randy Knighton didn’t mince words, telling The Chronicle that the circuit is “in dire need of upgrades.”

Chief among the problems? A shocking absence of basic technology on pit road, including no electronic or internet connections for teams to connect their pit boxes. As reported by Daily Downforce, this forces crews to improvise with personal generators and mobile hotspots just to access essential car telemetry or monitor broadcasts—hardly the level of sophistication expected in a premier racing series like NASCAR.

These shortcomings aren’t just inconvenient; they’re unacceptable in an era where data-driven performance is king. Teams operating under such constraints risk competitive disadvantages and safety issues, highlighting why NASCAR perceives Portland as a substandard venue.

The track’s woes extend beyond the pits: fans and spotters have long complained on social media about its outdated feel, from poor grandstand views to an overall lack of modernization. After just four seasons on the schedule, it’s evident that Portland couldn’t keep pace with NASCAR’s evolving demands, prompting the sanctioning body to redirect resources to more capable facilities.

NASCAR’s move leaves the Pacific Northwest without a National Series race, joining the likes of the Chicago Street Course and Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on the chopping block. This isn’t mere neglect; it’s a deliberate rejection of a facility that NASCAR deems below par, prioritizing venues that can deliver a high-quality experience for teams, drivers, and spectators alike.