NASCAR today announced the 2013 schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, a lineup that includes a trip to the 2.4-mile, 15-turn road course Mid-Ohio for the first time in series history.

The inclusion of the Lexington, Ohio, track marks the return of NASCAR national series racing to Ohio, the home state of the series' entitlement sponsor, Nationwide Insurance. The NASCAR Nationwide Series will visit the track on Aug. 17.

"With Mid-Ohio on the schedule, the NASCAR Nationwide Series has another opportunity to lead the way at a new venue," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operation. "This gives us the opportunity to bring the series' signature side-by-side racing to a new fan base, and build enthusiasm among race fans that have yet to experience the unparalleled experience of attending a NASCAR event."

As normal, the 33-race schedule will begin at Daytona International Speedway Feb. 23 and finish up at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov.16. The series will visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the second consecutive year on July 27.

The Kentucky race on June 28 is the qualifying event for the 2013 "Dash 4 Cash" bonus program.

The subsequent four races make up the 2013 "Dash 4 Cash" events: Daytona (July 5), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 13), Chicagoland (July 21) and Indianapolis.

2013 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES
Feb. 23: Daytona International Speedway
March 2: Phoenix International Raceway
March 9: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 16: Bristol Motor Speedway
March 23: Auto Club Speedway
April 12: Texas Motor Speedway
April 26: Richmond International Raceway
May 4: Talladega Superspeedway
May 10: Darlington Raceway
May 25: Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 1: Dover International Speedway
June 8: Iowa Speedway
June 15: Michigan International Speedway
June 22: Road America
June 28: Kentucky Speedway
July 5: Daytona International Speedway
July 13: New Hampshire Motor Speedway:
July 21: Chicagoland Speedway
July 27: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug. 3: Iowa Speedway
Aug. 10: Watkins Glen International
Aug. 17: Mid-Ohio
Aug. 23: Bristol Motor Speedway
Aug. 31: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Sept. 6: Richmond International Raceway
Sept. 14: Chicagoland Speedway
Sept. 21: Kentucky Speedway
Sept. 28: Dover International Speedway
Oct. 5: Kansas Speedway
Oct. 11: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Nov. 2: Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 9: Phoenix International Raceway
Nov. 16: Homestead-Miami Speedway