Could Homestead-Miami Speedway Reclaim Championship Finale: The future of the NASCAR championship race is filled with questions. Since Phoenix Raceway took over in 2020, some have missed the intense battles at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Now, talk of a venue shake-up is growing, but financial challenges stand in the way. Meanwhile, a bold new idea could change everything—a rotating championship schedule. With tracks like Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the mix, the competition for hosting rights is heating up. What will NASCAR decide?
Key Highlights
- Homestead-Miami Speedway’s return faces financial challenges, competing against Phoenix Raceway’s significant $5-$10 million per race investment.
- Phoenix has been the championship venue since 2020, but some fans find it less exciting than Homestead.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami might complicate resource allocation for Homestead’s return.
- A rotating championship venue concept is gaining traction, offering Homestead a potential opportunity.
- Kyle Larson’s strong performance at Homestead raises concerns about track-specific advantages in a rotating schedule.
Homestead’s Potential Return as the Championship Venue
While the excitement among NASCAR fans continues to build, discussions about the potential return of Homestead-Miami Speedway as the championship venue are gaining momentum. This interest is partly fueled by positive remarks from driver William Byron, who has expressed enthusiasm about the track’s possible comeback.
Homestead-Miami Speedway, once a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series finale, was replaced by Phoenix Raceway in 2020, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from the community.
Despite the nostalgia and excitement surrounding a potential return, there are considerable financial hurdles to evaluate. Freddie Kraft, an insider in the sport, revealed on the Door Bumper Clear podcast that the logistics of bringing the finale back to Homestead could be complicated by financial constraints.
“They were flying drivers out there, Tuesday or Wednesday, to announce this finale… Something happened and it’s fallen apart funding-wise… Jeff [Gluck] brought up a really good point…It’s between 5 and 10 million dollars – that’s what Phoenix is paying to have the race there. When it comes down to dollars and cents, we’re obviously spending somebody else’s money here…When we’re talking about NASCAR, it doesn’t seem like a really exorbitant amount of money.” – Freddie Kraft
Particularly, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami might impact the track’s ability to secure the necessary resources, presenting a formidable obstacle to those advocating for its reinstatement as the championship venue.
Straight Talk Wireless 400 Full Entry List” width=”1200″ height=”800″ srcset=”https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List.webp 1200w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-300×200.webp 300w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-1024×683.webp 1024w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-768×512.webp 768w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-630×420.webp 630w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-150×100.webp 150w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-696×464.webp 696w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Straight-Talk-Wireless-400-Full-Entry-List-1068×712.webp 1068w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” />
Phoenix Raceway’s Financial Dominance and Criticism
As discussions about Homestead-Miami Speedway‘s potential return to the championship spotlight unfold, attention naturally shifts to Phoenix Raceway’s current role. Since taking over as the championship host in 2020, Phoenix has held five consecutive finales.
However, it has not been immune to criticism, with some fans arguing that it lacks the excitement that characterized Homestead’s tenure. Despite this, Phoenix’s financial commitment has undeniably solidified its position, investing between $5 to $10 million to host each race.
I’d love to see the @NASCAR Championship race at the @LVMotorSpeedway
Would you?
@MarcusSMI— Michael Waltrip (@MW55) March 24, 2025
This financial outlay plays a critical role in NASCAR’s decision-making process, making it a formidable contender in the venue selection. The competitive financial environment created by Phoenix’s success presents challenges for Homestead’s return.
While the enthusiasm for a Homestead revival is palpable, the financial support needed to compete with Phoenix’s established dominance remains a pressing concern. Ultimately, Phoenix’s financial expertise guarantees its continued presence in the championship conversation.
Rotating Championship Venue: Las Vegas as a Possible Candidate
The idea of rotating the NASCAR championship venue is gaining traction, with Las Vegas emerging as a prominent contender for the future.
Rumors indicate that starting in 2026, NASCAR may adopt a rotating schedule for its championship race, potentially bringing Las Vegas into the spotlight. The track’s connection to Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI), the owner of the venue, strengthens its candidacy.
Freddie Kraft has voiced his perspective, suggesting Las Vegas as a possible candidate for 2027, highlighting the track’s popularity.
“I think starting next year, we’re going into a rotation. The rumors I heard this week were: Homestead’s getting done this week… The next rumor was Vegas in 2027. It’s interesting to me because it’s an SMI track… If that’s actually going to happen, I think that’s great, ’cause Vegas has a really good racetrack.” – Freddie Kraft
Moreover, the idea of a rotating championship schedule has garnered support from notable figures in the NASCAR community. Both Michael Waltrip, an esteemed NASCAR legend, and Jamie McMurray, a respected TV analyst, have expressed their approval of the concept.
“I’d love to see the @NASCAR Championship race at the @LVMotorSpeedway Would you? @MarcusSMI” – Michael Waltrip
Kyle Larson’s Dominance at Homestead and Potential Impact of Rotation
Las Vegas may be a strong contender for hosting future NASCAR championships, but Kyle Larson’s impressive record at Homestead-Miami Speedway highlights the complexities of rotating the venue. Larson’s historic success at Homestead, characterized by multiple wins and setting a record for most laps led, emphasizes potential concerns regarding track-specific advantages.
Former NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray emphasized that certain tracks inherently favor specific drivers’ styles. Consequently, a rotating schedule might mitigate such biases, ensuring a more level playing field.
“I’m still a believer they should pick three or four tracks. It should rotate… Even though Larson won his championship at Phoenix, I don’t think it’s fair to be at Homestead… If you have it at Daytona, there’s probably going to be somebody that has an advantage there, the Penske cars we could say probably… Money makes everything happen. And I wouldn’t blame them a bit if that’s influencing their decision.” – Jamie McMurray
This approach could improve competitiveness, adding unpredictability and excitement to the championship race. Fans could witness a more varied competition, as drivers would face new challenges at different tracks.
Ultimately, while Larson’s skill at Homestead is undeniable, rotating venues may offer a broader perspective on drivers’ true capabilities and adaptability.
Josh Berry’s Victory and the Growing Positivity Around Las Vegas
Josh Berry’s recent victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway captivated fans and left a lasting impression in the NASCAR community. Overcoming a challenging restart battle with Daniel Suarez, Berry’s success was a heartwarming moment for the Wood Brothers Racing team.
This win highlighted Berry’s skill and potential within the Cup Series, earning praise from fellow drivers like William Byron and Chase Briscoe, who recognized his talent and promising future.
The excitement surrounding Berry’s win at Las Vegas has sparked discussions about the track’s potential as a championship venue. The thrilling atmosphere and positive reception have strengthened the idea of hosting the championship race there, presenting Las Vegas as a strong contender.
With its ability to deliver exhilarating races and foster a competitive environment, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is increasingly seen as a viable option for the NASCAR Championship finale, adding another layer to the ongoing conversation about the sport’s future.
News in Brief: Could Homestead-Miami Speedway Reclaim Championship Finale
The potential return of Homestead-Miami Speedway as the NASCAR championship venue stirs excitement, yet financial challenges loom large. Phoenix Raceway’s current hold, despite some criticism, highlights the financial stakes involved. The idea of rotating venues, with Las Vegas as a strong contender, adds another dimension to the discussion. Kyle Larson’s dominance at Homestead and Josh Berry’s success in Las Vegas influence fan perspectives. Ultimately, NASCAR’s decision will balance tradition, financial viability, and competitive fairness.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q: When was Homestead-Miami reconfigured?
A: The reconfiguration was finished in time for the 2003 Ford 400 in November and was well received by drivers and NASCAR officials.
Q: Who won the NASCAR race today at Homestead-Miami?
A: With six laps to go, Kyle Larson overtook Alex Bowman at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, securing his 30th career NASCAR Cup Series win for Hendrick Motorsports at one of his strongest tracks.
Q: Is Homestead-Miami a short track?
A: The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to the 1.5-mile oval for the Straight Talk Wireless 400 on Sunday, marking the second of back-to-back mile-and-a-half tracks on the schedule.
ALSO READ: NASCAR Drivers Who Have Ruled Homestead-Miami Speedway as Masters of the Florida Oval
