In the high-speed world of NASCAR, the location of the Cup Series championship has come under the spotlight, with Phoenix Raceway confronting waves of criticism since it took over the grand finale spot from Homestead in 2020. Recent whispers on the grapevine, however, hint at a potential return for Homestead, causing quite a stir among fans.
Renowned NASCAR driver, William Byron, added fuel to the fire, suggesting that Homestead might reclaim its status as the final race venue. Despite the palpable excitement, a recent revelation on the Door Bumper Clear podcast has deflated these soaring hopes.
Homestead-Miami Speedway, a legacy track, had the honor of hosting the championship race from 2002 to 2019. Following its inclusion in the NASCAR Holding’s portfolio in 2019, it was displaced by Phoenix. Despite the Arizona track’s $178 million renovation in 2018 and subsequent sellout of five consecutive championship races since 2020, it fell short of the exhilarating racing experience Homestead was famous for, according to fans.
Enthusiasm spiked when the news broke that Homestead was making a play for a comeback. However, a financial update from Bubba Wallace’s spotter, Freddie Kraft, has dampened spirits. Kraft revealed on a ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’ episode that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosting six games in Miami, could hinder the financial push to bring Homestead back.
So, if Homestead is off the table, where next for NASCAR? NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell mooted the idea of rotating the championship race in December 2024. This idea was picked up by Kraft, who mentioned rumors of Las Vegas being next in line for 2027. His sentiment was echoed by NASCAR legend, Michael Waltrip, who expressed his own desire to see the championship race move to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
This would represent a significant shift as Las Vegas is a Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) owned track, unlike Phoenix, which is owned by NASCAR. Fans, who regarded Phoenix as another profit-making venture for NASCAR, would likely welcome this change. Meanwhile, owner of Homestead, Guillermo Santa Cruz, expressed his desire to host the Championship race again, fueling further debates about the potential next host.
TV analyst Jamie McMurray suggested a rotation of tracks, arguing that money influences the decision. While a rotating race would indeed be an exciting prospect, the dominance of certain drivers at specific tracks, like Kyle Larson’s impressive performance at Homestead, might create an unfair advantage.
The rumor mill suggesting Las Vegas as the next host has been received positively, particularly following the wave of goodwill that swept the NASCAR community after Josh Berry’s victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This shift would certainly spice things up in the Cup Series garage, but what is your take? Should the Championship race rotate or stick to one track? We’re keen to hear your thoughts.
