Former Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace has voiced his support for NASCAR’s recent decision to rotate its championship finale among different oval tracks, a shift set to begin in 2026, with Homestead-Miami Speedway leading the way. The announcement, revealed during a high-profile ride with Wallace and fellow racers near Watkins Glen, signals a major change from the six-year tradition of holding the climax at Phoenix Raceway. In explaining his support during his “Coffee with Kenny” show, Kenny Wallace described the move as a win for fans and a fresh opportunity for the sport to engage different regions, offering a dynamic approach to crowning its champion.
This major policy update will see Homestead-Miami Speedway, renowned for its wide 1.5-mile oval and unpredictable late-race restarts, serve as the finale in 2026, taking over from Phoenix, which maintains the 2025 finish. By opting to circulate the crucial Championship Weekend among a variety of longstanding oval venues, NASCAR reaffirms its desire to uphold competitive integrity while diversifying the finale atmosphere and reaching new areas and fan bases.
Speaking candidly, Kenny Wallace highlighted that while he fully supports the rotation, he takes issue with some opinions labeling non-oval tracks as “gimmicks.” He emphasized that every racing surface offers unique challenges and rewards, but tradition and competitive consistency guided this oval-focused strategy. NASCAR Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy provided insight into this perspective, clarifying that although road courses and superspeedways have brought excitement, their degree of unpredictability doesn’t currently align with NASCAR’s vision for its decisive race, though he stopped short of ruling them out forever.
The Homestead oval is also set for improvements, with planned upgrades to its pavement, parking, and infrastructure, ensuring the track will be in peak condition for the marquee event in November 2026. Track president Guillermo Santa Cruz underlined the importance of these enhancements, seeing the honor of hosting as a transformative moment for Homestead-Miami and its surrounding community. Fans have echoed this enthusiasm, with many celebrating the return to a venue adored for its challenging layout and dramatic multi-groove racing.
Adding to the conversation, veteran Max Papis joined Kenny Wallace on “Coffee with Kenny” to express agreement about the merits of rotating championships. Papis suggested that the future could see iconic tracks like Darlington in contention, illustrating just how wide open NASCAR’s options remain. While Phoenix and Homestead are now firmly in place for the next two seasons, what lies beyond 2026 is undetermined, with possibilities influenced by factors such as accessibility, weather, facility quality, and fan feedback.
As this plan unfolds, the racing world will watch closely to see which ovals might emerge as future hosts, how the rotation strategy shapes the championship narrative, and how fan excitement continues to build with each season. For Kenny Wallace and many in the NASCAR community, this change is not only a bold statement but a sign that the sport remains eager to evolve, ensuring each finale is both thrilling and worthy of the title it decides.
