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Rockingham Today
By the People, for the People
Daytona Preseason Testing Returns Ahead of 2027 Daytona 500
NASCAR brings back popular Preseason Thunder event at Daytona International Speedway.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:53pm
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The return of Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway promises an early glimpse of the upcoming NASCAR season.Rockingham TodayNASCAR has announced the return of preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the 2027 Daytona 500. The Preseason Thunder event, which was last held in 2014, will give teams a chance to experiment with different car setups and power levels before the start of the new season.
Why it matters
The return of Preseason Thunder is seen as a positive move by NASCAR fans, as it brings back a popular tradition that allows teams to fine-tune their cars and gives fans an early glimpse of the upcoming season. It also raises speculation about potential future races at Rockingham Speedway, which has not hosted a Cup Series event since 2004.
The details
Preseason Thunder was a multi-day testing session held at Daytona International Speedway in the weeks leading up to the Daytona 500. The event allowed teams to try out different car configurations and gather valuable data before the start of the new season. NASCAR last held Preseason Thunder in 2014 before discontinuing the tradition.
- Preseason Thunder was last held in 2014.
- The next Preseason Thunder event is scheduled to take place ahead of the 2027 Daytona 500.
The players
Daytona International Speedway
The iconic NASCAR racetrack located in Daytona Beach, Florida, which hosts the annual Daytona 500.
NASCAR
The sanctioning body that oversees the top professional stock car racing series in the United States.
Rockingham Speedway
A racetrack located in Rockingham, North Carolina that hosted NASCAR Cup Series events from 1965 to 2004.
What’s next
NASCAR has not yet announced specific details about the format or schedule for the 2027 Preseason Thunder event at Daytona.
The takeaway
The return of Preseason Thunder at Daytona is a welcome development for NASCAR fans, as it brings back a popular tradition that provides an early look at the upcoming season. It also raises speculation about the potential for future NASCAR events at Rockingham Speedway, which has not hosted a Cup Series race in over 15 years.
