On May 14, 2025, the conversation surrounding NASCAR’s 2026 championship race rotation ignited renewed optimism, as Kevin Harvick voiced his support for the plan that could see Charlotte Motor Speedway earn a place in the spotlight. The move, which would introduce a system rotating the final race location among various tracks, is gathering momentum from both fans and drivers, with Harvick emerging as one of its most prominent advocates. His endorsement places Charlotte, already a major hub of NASCAR culture, at the center of attention, offering the promise of both tradition and fresh excitement for the sport’s climactic showdown.
NASCAR’s decision to initiate the rotation was unveiled after extensive discussion, with Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, explaining that several factors drove the change. As Kennedy stated,
“It’s marketing and promotion, for sure, and it’s location. We want to be in a warm-weather market. Ideally, being in November, that first week of November, it kind of limits you to the amount of races that you can run. … I would say the quality of the facility.”
These considerations underscore NASCAR’s desire to reinvigorate its season finale, emphasizing not just racing conditions but the event’s capacity to engage audiences and revitalize fan enthusiasm.
For years, Phoenix Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway have been focal points for the season’s last race, but, as the sport evolves, so do its priorities. Investment in facilities has been substantial, with Kennedy revealing,
“In Phoenix, we put over $100 million into the redevelopment of that track, and it was a big catalyst for bringing this championship to the West Coast. We’re going to be putting a good amount of capital into Homestead as well ahead of the race.”
These revelations confirm NASCAR’s readiness to adapt and improve, channeling resources toward whichever tracks are chosen for the pivotal event.
Kevin Harvick, a 14-time Craftsman Truck Series winner and long-regarded as one of the sport’s standouts, has taken an enthusiastic stance on the rotation. Appearing on the Happy Hour Podcast, Harvick said,
“I think that going back to Homestead is something that the industry likes. I think being able to know that this championship race is going to be a rotation, you know, I think it’s natural that it goes to Homestead and Phoenix.”
However, Harvick also added his own surprising suggestions, namely Charlotte and Las Vegas, which he thinks deserve their shot at the championship race as well.
In his words,
“My list would be Charlotte and Las Vegas to add to the list of rotation. I think that Charlotte being in that mix with our industry being here would be a big moment for the sport. I don’t think there’s any question that the weather would be just fine, last week of October and the 1st week of November; it’s a great time to be in North Carolina.”
Harvick’s confident embrace of Charlotte instantly captured the imagination of fans and experts, sparking debate over which venues best encapsulate the spirit and competitive integrity expected of a NASCAR championship.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, with its 1.5-mile quad-oval, dirt track, and drag strip, is not just another fixture on the NASCAR calendar—it’s a symbol of racing heritage. The possibility of hosting the championship finale there would blend practicality with symbolism, as Charlotte’s proximity to the heart of NASCAR’s industry and its Hall of Fame aligns perfectly with the event’s prestige. Adding Las Vegas, a D-shaped oval that currently hosts two points races and holds significant playoff influence, also brings an element of high stakes and unpredictability, further heating up the speculation around the possible rotation.
The discussion has not just energized fans but piqued the interest of seasoned journalists and insiders. Jordan Bianchi, a respected NASCAR reporter, lent his voice to the discussion by supporting Kevin Harvick’s push to include Charlotte in the rotation.
“Absolutely Charlotte could be part of—should be part of—the rotation, and I would expand it out and say if you encompass the Hall of Fame and do some things with, like, the shops and everything else, you could really make this cool thing and make it like this big weeklong Championship celebration so yes on Charlotte.”
This groundswell of support highlights a tension at the heart of NASCAR’s championship race planning: the balance between tradition and adaptation. While the inclusion of Charlotte excites many, others point to the need for the final race to epitomize the purest form of NASCAR racing. Jeff Gluck, a well-regarded voice within the community, weighed in by reflecting,
“We’ve unanimously agreed it needs to look and feel what we’d expect traditional NASCAR racing to look and feel like.”
Fan sentiment has strongly trended in favor of experimenting with new locations while maintaining the championship’s gravity. Comments frequently reference Charlotte’s merits:
“Agreed. Charlotte should definitely get a Championship race at some point. Needs to be in the rotation after Homestead.”
This groundswell, coupled with the sport’s deep roots in North Carolina, positions Charlotte as a compelling candidate, but the decision remains uncertain and will ultimately depend on ongoing evaluations and strategic considerations.
The process of selecting the final track is shaped by several key factors: facility upgrades, marketability, climate suitability, historical resonance, and the all-important characteristics of the racetrack itself. November weather looms large, since it affects not just on-track performance but the experience for fans and teams alike. Tracks boasting new amenities and favorable climates have an obvious edge, but their layouts and traditions also play a role.
Iconic circuits such as Daytona, Atlanta, and Talladega offer pure excitement, with their high speeds and notorious unpredictability often leading to unexpected outcomes. While these elements are adrenaline-charged, they don’t always serve the needs of a finale meant to crown the season’s best driver. In contrast, tracks like Bristol, Charlotte, and Darlington embody tradition and stir strong emotions among fans, yet their nuances invite lively debate over whether they are the perfect stage for NASCAR’s most consequential race.
Joey Logano, one of racing’s current superstars, addressed this by advising that the final test for the championship should avoid unpredictability and random outcomes, opting instead for classic oval racing.
“When you get down to the nitty-gritty of the playoffs, especially if it’s coming down to one race, like it is right now, you don’t want an oddball race, you want it to be the grassroots of what our sport is built off of, which is ovals, right?”
Logano’s assertion resonates with both purists and competitors, emphasizing that the event should remain a celebration of NASCAR’s true roots.
He continued,
“Whether it’s a short track or mile-and-a-half, that’s what our roots really are. That is what built our sport. Throwing in a road course or any other oddball type racetrack, superspeedway, it’s too much by chance and it wouldn’t be ideal, I don’t believe, for our sport.”
This perspective reinforces the importance of consistency, fairness, and tradition when determining the most appropriate venue for a championship showdown. It adds nuance to the push for rotation, suggesting that not every track is equally equipped to deliver the type of racing that NASCAR values most for its title-deciding event.
Amidst all the opinions and speculation, what remains clear is that Kevin Harvick’s support for including Charlotte in the rotation has catalyzed broader consideration of the city’s place within the sport’s future. As the conversation grows, Charlotte finds itself competing with the likes of Las Vegas, Miami, and Phoenix, all of which possess their own unique draws. Miami’s Homestead track, for instance, saw a viewership boost and maintains a warm-weather advantage, while Phoenix’s recent redevelopment has made it a worthy Western outpost. Still, the unique prestige and centrality of Charlotte are hard to overlook. Its combination of motorsports infrastructure, history, and cultural significance gives it an undeniable edge, provided logistical needs can be reliably met.
From a broader perspective, NASCAR’s willingness to embrace a rotation signals a desire to evolve—aiming to capture new audiences and rekindle passion among longtime fans. The positive viewership numbers from Texas, where the round at Texas Motor Speedway averaged 2.56 million viewers and outdrew the Formula One Miami Grand Prix, underscore the sport’s enduring appeal when marquee events are staged at popular locations. This success story heightens hopes that a more varied championship schedule could drive comparable spikes elsewhere and potentially restore NASCAR’s place in the wider motorsports conversation.
As proposals like Kevin Harvick’s gain traction, speculation and anticipation will only increase in the months ahead. Stakeholders from drivers to executives will weigh tradition against innovation, striving to ensure that each selected track honors NASCAR’s legacy while inviting excitement and fresh engagement. The days of taking the championship to just one familiar location each year appear to be numbered, as both fans and industry giants hunger for spectacle, challenge, and a fitting celebration of the sport they love.
Determining whether Charlotte becomes the next site for the championship race will ultimately hinge on factors such as fan enthusiasm, continued investment in facilities, and an ability to encapsulate the spirit that Harvick and others value so deeply. The ongoing debate—whether tradition should take a backseat to innovation—is likely to intensify, with Charlotte’s candidacy representing the best of both worlds: connection to NASCAR’s roots and an opportunity to forge new memories for the next generation of competitors and supporters.
In summary, Kevin Harvick’s vocal support for the proposed NASCAR championship race rotation, placing Charlotte firmly in the running, highlights a pivotal moment for the sport. As NASCAR leaders, industry observers, and fans assess their options, the outcome will shape not only where champions are crowned but also how the sport defines itself in the face of changing times. The next chapter promises drama, excitement, and, above all, a renewed sense of possibility for one of America’s most beloved motorsports traditions.
