Since 2020, there has been a heated discussion regarding NASCAR’s championship finale. The sport shifted its season-ending race from Homestead-Miami Speedway to Phoenix Raceway following more than ten years of unforgettable championship finales. The South Florida track was the ideal setting for championship battles for eighteen seasons in a row, with seven of its race winners going on to win the championship. The stakes were further raised in 2014 when the winner-take-all format was implemented, making Homestead the last test.
A legendary location for NASCAR’s grand finale, Homestead-Miami Speedway has long been cherished for its distinctive features and unforgettable races. The speedway’s history dates back to its inauguration in 1995. However, despite its demonstrated history of producing dramatic, high-intensity battles, NASCAR moved the finale elsewhere and eliminated Homestead from its playoff schedule entirely in 2025. Both fans and insiders have questioned whether the move has actually benefited the sport. Now, seasoned NASCAR veterans have weighed in to rekindle the discussion about where Homestead Miami Speedway truly belongs.
On November 14, 1999, Tony Stewart won the first NASCAR Cup Series race. Some of NASCAR’s most thrilling finishes have been produced by its 1.5-mile track, which has varying banking between 18 and 20 degrees, which is intended to encourage several racing grooves and side-by-side competition. On the Performance Racing Network, veteran motorsports reporter Jamie Little emphasized the track’s unique ambiance: “But that mood down there in South Florida, the racing that you get, no matter what you’re doing down there… Truck, Cup, Xfinity, and IndyCar are all amazing. It’s simply an amazing location. I believe we should return. The drivers, I believe, enjoy going back. Little is correct in this case. Drivers in the NASCAR Cup series have expressed their love for Homestead Miami Speedway.
Ryan Blaney, number twelve for Team Penske, stated before of last week’s Homestead race, which signaled the team’s elimination from the playoffs following a three-year run, “It’s a shame it’s not the playoffs because I think it makes for a great playoff race.” There is a lot of enthusiasm for it. However, it’s pleasant to be here, and I wish we could go on two dates. The track’s appropriateness for season-ending races was highlighted by seasoned NASCAR journalist Chris Knight. “Every time we went there, I thought it was appropriate to wrap out the season. The fan attendance was incredible, and the atmosphere was fantastic. The racing was outstanding. For the sixth consecutive season, Homestead had a sellout audience as it wrapped up its championship chapter in 2019.
“This is a true testament, not just to the hard work by everyone on our staff, but the tremendous enthusiasm in this area for an event of this stature,” said Speedway President Al Garcia in a 2019 speech about this incredible accomplishment. Throughout NASCAR’s history, the track has hosted several memorable events. Homestead has produced some of the most memorable drama, from the 2011 “tied championship” between Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards to the 2004 season finale, in which Kurt Busch won the championship by a slim margin after losing a wheel on pit road. When Carl Edwards suffered heartache in a late race crash in 2016, Jimmie Johnson’s clutch performance earned him his record-tying seventh championship, solidifying his legend. This demonstrated even more why the track was the ideal venue for season-ending showdowns.
Additionally, Homestead-Miami Speedway has a lively atmosphere that appeals to both drivers and fans. The November weather in South Florida, the track’s vibrant design, and the fervent supporters all combine to produce an atmosphere that many people think is unmatched in the racing industry. Jamie underlined, “The racetrack is such a great place, and the colors are just very unique.” Finally, the spirit of Homestead-Miami is found in its deteriorated racing surface, which results in exciting multi-groove clashes. Many people think that excellent racing shouldn’t be sacrificed for modernization. “If they do the renovation, yes, clean up the pit road, the area that we talked about, maybe the garages,” Jamie Little underlined. But please, don’t bother the racecourse!
In order to give Homestead enough time to finish the required renovations before 2026, it was moved up to a March race in 2025. William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports #24 fueled the rumors that these improvements were for a potential 2026 return to the track for the championship race, stating, “I think it’s due for hopefully being the final race.” That seems to be what is going to occur. Although a return to Homestead has not yet been confirmed, fans are nevertheless optimistic because several veterans and previous drivers have expressed their opinions about the location of the finale.
The conundrum of the championship race #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin is in favor of Homestead-Miami Speedway making a comeback, if just to the playoffs. “I would like to see it be a part of that, whether it is in the playoffs, just a part of the championship race or round, or something else entirely.” But for the time being, Phoenix’s financial support is what keeps them in charge. According to reports, Phoenix Raceway, which is owned by NASCAR, spends $5–10 million a year to host Championship Weekend.
More recently, Freddie Kraft, Bubba Wallace’s spotter, denied that the finale will return to Homestead because to financial concerns with the South Florida track. “To announce this climax, they sent out drivers on Tuesday or Wednesday. Funding-wise, something happened and it fell apart. According to Kraft, Miami’s 2026 hosting of six FIFA World Cup matches has made it more difficult for the city to raise the money needed to play Phoenix.
The relocation to Phoenix has also spurred more general debates regarding the venue of the championship race. The benefits of switching up the conclusion between different tracks to increase excitement and equity have been discussed by fans and industry insiders. Some contend that teams can train more efficiently at a single, reliable location, particularly at a track like Homestead-Miami Speedway, while others believe that switching up the locations adds to the excitement of not knowing where your season will end next. Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, has made no secret of his opinions regarding a changing championship location.
“I think it would be good to cycle the championship race between Las Vegas, Homestead, and Phoenix,” Harvick said. Such a rotation, in his opinion, would provide a variety of challenges while preserving a competitive equilibrium. The opinions of seasoned drivers and other stakeholders are vital in determining the future of the sport’s final event as NASCAR continues to assess its championship system. In this continuing discussion, striking a balance between tradition, competitive integrity, and financial considerations is still crucial. Perhaps the Championship races will return to Homestead-Miami soon, since the calls for the site to host the races are growing stronger every day. Only time will tell, though.
