Chase Elliott has publicly expressed his full support for NASCAR’s recent decision to implement a rotating schedule for its season-ending and championship-deciding weekend, beginning in 2026 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The announcement marks a significant shift in how the NASCAR Cup championship will be determined, as the finale will move to different tracks in coming years, rather than sticking to a single location. Elliott, a former Cup Series champion, believes selecting the right venues is essential to ensuring fairness and excitement for fans and competitors alike.
NASCAR has so far only confirmed Homestead-Miami Speedway as the 2026 site for its championship finale, but several other prominent tracks, such as Phoenix Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are expected to join the rotation in the future. Notably, superspeedways like Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta have been excluded from consideration, due to concerns about unpredictable multi-car wrecks impacting the outcome of the championship.
Chase Elliott, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports and won his Cup title in 2020, emphasized the importance of being selective with the championship venues. Speaking to Frontstretch.com at Kansas Speedway, he said,
“I think at the end of the day they (NASCAR) kind of have an open box on whatever they want to do. And we have enough of a sample size with the car for the last few years that I think we should be able to make a very educated decision on what would be the most entertaining from a fan perspective and also the most rewarding to make sure you’re crowning a champion.”
The return of the season-ending event to Homestead, even if only for a single year in 2026, holds special significance for Elliott and the sport. Homestead hosted the championship finale from 2002 to 2019 before it moved to Phoenix Raceway. Reflecting on the shift, Elliott noted,
“When it moved from Homestead I thought that (rotation at the time) was the plan in general. I don’t know how long it’s been in Phoenix now but it’s like, a long time. So I’m glad to see it move around.”
Ironically, Elliott claimed his first Cup championship in Phoenix’s debut year at the finale.
Despite the uncertainty over which venue will succeed Homestead-Miami Speedway after 2026, Chase Elliott remains steadfast in his endorsement of frequent changes to the championship site, believing it heightens fan interest and challenges teams to adapt.
“I think it’s important to have that shift and not just be at one track,”
he said. With strong support from high-profile drivers like Elliott, NASCAR may continue moving forward with its rotating finale approach, aiming for decisions that balance excitement, competitive integrity, and spectacle.
