Chase Elliott expressed his approval as NASCAR announced that the 2026 Cup Series Championship race will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway, breaking a streak that has seen Phoenix Raceway host the event since 2020. NASCAR is implementing a new rule for 2026, rotating the Championship 4 race between different tracks each year, which Elliott believes marks a significant change for both drivers and fans. Elliott shared his thoughts ahead of the 12th race of the current season, highlighting how this decision might impact his approach to the championship.
For Chase Elliott, this shift away from Phoenix opens new possibilities, though he acknowledged in a recent interview that not every track suits the high-stakes style of a championship finale. As the series leader in fan popularity, Elliott’s perspective carries special weight. The 2026 schedule ensures that Phoenix will continue to host two annual races, including a key playoff round, but Homestead-Miami Speedway’s return as the season’s last stop adds a layer of unpredictability to next year’s battle for the trophy.
The announcement came just before Chase Elliott headed to Kansas Speedway for the AdventHealth 400, the twelfth contest of the campaign. As a driver who has enjoyed consistent success at the 1.5-mile Kansas track, Elliott enters the event ranked fourth in points, boasting three top-five finishes and six top-tens this season. Despite strong performances in recent weeks, he is still searching for his first victory of 2025, a fact not lost on the Dawsonville native, who trails points leader William Byron by 83 markers and is still looking to secure a playoff spot for Hendrick Motorsports along with teammate Alex Bowman.
In addition to his racing duties, Chase Elliott has expanded his profile beyond the track. He was recently named the official presenter for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas, a high-profile event scheduled for May 15 and featuring renowned acts such as Alan Jackson, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Stapleton, Ella Langley, and the Backstreet Boys. This opportunity on Amazon Prime Video also ties into the platform’s broadcast of several key NASCAR races this year, beginning with the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on May 25, connecting Elliott with fans in new and exciting ways.
Chase Elliott’s stature within NASCAR continues to grow, supported by 19 series wins and the Most Popular Driver Award, a title he has claimed seven times—following a legacy established by his father, Bill Elliott. As the championship race format changes, Elliott’s adaptability and experience may give him an edge in the evolving landscape, with the rotating finale promising fresh challenges. As the season advances, all eyes will remain on Chase Elliott to see how he adjusts his strategy and capitalizes on the new opportunities ahead.
