NASCAR Realignment refers to changes in the schedule of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. In a January 2003 press conference, NASCAR's Chairman of the Board, Bill France, Jr., caused a stir when he interrupted the conference to announce big changes for 2004. France said that many tracks were under fire and being looked at as having race dates taken from them, and given to other facilities. Among the scenarios being looked at by France were how tracks did with ticket sales, and how the weather affected those races. Two tracks immediately looked at by the media were the North Carolina Speedway and Darlington Raceway. Both tracks' events almost never sold out, and the weather, especially at North Carolina Speedway, had been a major problem, as rain forced many races to be postponed until the next day, typically Monday, which is even worse for tracks because most people who planned to attend the race on a Sunday couldn't be there on a Monday because they had to work, or kids had to go to school.
Read more about NASCAR Realignment: Realignment 2004, Realignment 2005, Realignment 2006–2007, Realignment 2009–10, Realignment 2011, Realignment 2012