No major changes in NASCAR’s 2012 Cup schedule

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR made no major changes to the 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule aside from flipping a few race dates and moving the start of the season back one week.

The Daytona 500 opens the season Feb. 26, one week later than usual. NASCAR had to schedule 38 races over 40 weeks because of the later start to the season.

Kansas Speedway had its race moved from June to April to accommodate a plan to pave the track.

Talladega Superspeedway’s race in April was moved to May, and it’s October date was pushed up earlier in the month so Kansas had more time for its paving project.

The first race at Dover was moved back to May after a few years of running in June.

Because of when July 4 falls, Kentucky Speedway’s date was moved up to the week before Daytona instead of the week after.

NASCAR didn’t release the Nationwide or Truck schedules.