NASCAR unveils 2006 schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Officials of NASCAR Thursday announced the Nextel Cup schedule for 2006.

Very few changes were made from 2005.

The season opens with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 19 and concludes Nov. 19 with the Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The only changes from this year were a couple of swapped dates.

Richmond's first race, on May 6, will precede Darlington. The race at the Kansas Speedway on Oct. 1 will precede the one at Talladega on Oct. 8.

The schedule also includes events at Las Vegas (March 12); Bristol, Va. (March 26); Darlington (May 13); Pocono (June 11 and July 23); Dover, Del. (June 4); Indianapolis (Aug. 6); Watkins Glen (Aug. 13); Martinsville (Oct. 22); and Atlanta (Oct. 29).