The 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule is out and here are the key points you need to know:
• The 26th and final race in the Cup regular season will be the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sept. 9.
• The first two playoff races will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 16 and Richmond International Raceway Sept. 22. These are both new venues for the playoffs.
• The Charlotte Motor Speedway playoff race on Sept. 30 will be run on the “roval” road course/oval combination. And it will be an elimination race, adding to the pressure on drivers and teams.