NASCAR releases 2013 Sprint Cup Series schedule

NASCAR unveiled its 2013 Sprint Cup Series schedule on Tuesday afternoon, and the emphasis next year will be on new cars – not new tracks and race dates.

The only change from this season's calendar is a fall race date swap between Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. But that was expected, since Kansas underwent a repave this season and needed a couple extra weeks to make sure the project was completed.

Once again, the season will start with the Daytona 500 (Feb. 24) and end with Homestead (Nov. 17). The Chase will start at Chicagoland for the third straight year.

Here's a look at the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule:

Feb. 16: Daytona Shootout (Night race)

Feb. 24: Daytona 500

March 3: Phoenix

March 10: Las Vegas

March 17: Bristol

March 24: Fontana

March 31: Off weekend (Easter)

April 7: Martinsville

April 13: Texas (Night race)

April 21: Kansas

April 27: Richmond (Night race)

May 5: Talladega

May 11: Darlington (Night race)

May 18: All-Star Race at Charlotte (Night race)

May 26: Coca-Cola 600 (Night race)

June 2: Dover

June 9: Pocono

June 16: Michigan

June 23: Sonoma

June 29: Kentucky (Night race)

July 6: Daytona (Night race)

July 14: New Hampshire

July 21: Off weekend

July 28: Indianapolis

Aug. 4: Pocono

Aug. 11: Watkins Glen

Aug. 18: Michigan

Aug. 24: Bristol (Night race)

Sept. 1: Atlanta (Night race)

Sept. 7: Richmond (Night race)

------ CHASE BEGINS ------

Sept. 15: Chicagoland

Sept. 22: New Hampshire

Sept. 29: Dover

Oct. 6: Kansas

Oct. 12: Charlotte (Night race)

Oct. 20: Talladega

Oct. 27: Martinsville

Nov. 3: Texas

Nov. 10: Phoenix

Nov. 17: Homestead