“This one’s for Rowdy Nation.” This is what Kyle Busch had said after winning the last time Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted the Cup Series finals. This was the track that made the #8 a multiple-time Cup Series champion back in 2019. Where he took the chequered flag after Martin Truex Jr.’s botched pit stop, which had him finish on P2.

Post the 2019 season, the track was demoted to the round of 8, making it the third-last race of the season. This came after the track nearly hosted 18-season finals for two decades. NASCAR changed its final venue to Phoenix, considering rotating the championship race between different tracks. This was much like the NFL does with the Super Bowl and the NCAA does with the Final Four. However, it’s been five years, and the finale is still at Phoenix! Even in the 2025 schedule, Phoenix gets the honor, and Homestead is now booted from the playoffs. NASCAR insiders are not happy with the move.

Another demotion with Homestead-Miami Speedway

Homestead-Miami Speedway has been removed from the NASCAR playoffs and will now host races earlier in the season: March 23rd for Cup, March 22nd for Xfinity, and March 21st for Truck, following Las Vegas. This change surprised many. In 2023, a tight battle between Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney saw Bell secure a final-four spot. Instead, Talladega Superspeedway is set to replace it, though many NASCAR insiders feel Homestead deserved more.

On PRN Live, NASCAR Journalist Dustin Long said, “I think some people will be disappointed at least the competitors in losing a place like Homestead because everybody really liked that type of track and I think they’re still um you know some people would say that they’d like to see the finale back there at some point because of just the type of racing there. But you know maybe someday.” Homestead is the longest a track has ever hosted the NASCAR finale. Following it in second position is Atlanta Motor Speedway, which has hosted the finale a total of 15 times.

Also on the show was another NASCAR journalist, Zach Sturniolo, who echoed Long’s emotions as he said, “I think that’s probably my one heartbreak of the new schedule is that we’re losing Homestead as a playoff racetrack.” 

While many drivers have expressed a desire to move the championship race, NASCAR has decided to keep it at Phoenix Raceway because of strong local support. On top of that, Phoenix has embraced the championship since hosting it in 2020 and recently completed a $178 million renovation to make it a world-class facility. So it was unlikely that the 2025 finale would have had a different venue.

However, with the hope that the finale comes back to Homestead, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who previously expressed his disappointment with NASCAR’s move, also said on the Dale Jr. Download, “I’m disappointed about Homestead leaving the playoffs. We ran Homestead years ago early in the season and it felt weird after having the season finale there for so long. It just doesn’t feel right to put it anywhere else in the season.” 

According to Junior, racing at Homestead is always fun, and a comeback would be nice. “Homestead is fun wherever we race it in the year. It’s a great finale. Is it the only track we can have the season finale at? No. But it was a great one and going back to that will be fun if that’s what happens.”

Well, 2025 is going to be Phoenix, but maybe 2026 is a possibility?

Can Homestead host the NASCAR finals in 2026?

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While Phoenix Raceway has hosted NASCAR’s championship weekend since 2020, it has faced criticism from many drivers and fans. Many prefer the racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway and hope it will return. If they continue to wait, there’s a chance their wish might come true.

According to the Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, the City of Homestead is doing its part in working to secure the 2026 championship weekend. At a Homestead Council Meeting on April 17th, city officials approved a resolution to start preparing a bid to host the NASCAR championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In the meeting, the vice mayor of Homestead, Sean Fletcher, said, “I’ve always believed that the power of unity and strategic planning and driving our city forward our collective efforts have consistently aimed at not only addressing immediate challenges. But also seizing long-term opportunities that promote economic growth, cultural enrichment and Community Pride tonight I offer for your approval a resolution that encapsulates such an opportunity and initiates bringing back the NASCAR championship race to our esteemed Homestead Miami Speedway.”

According to Fletcher, bringing back the finale would have a significant economic impact on Homestead. “The Homestead Miami Speedway has historically been a beacon of economic and social activity drawing visitors by the thousands and significantly benefiting our local economy. The NASCAR championship race with its stored history and wide appeal stands to elevate these impacts to unprecedented levels this event would not only bring substantial direct spending to our local businesses but also Spotlight Homestead again on a national scale show showcasing our City’s capacity to host major events and our community’s warm hospitality,” he added.

Let’s hope in 2026 we get Homestead back to perhaps where it deserves to be. What do you think of NASCAR’s move? Let us know in the comments below.