NASCAR fans got a surprise twist in the 2026 schedule: Homestead-Miami Speedway will host the Championship Weekend for the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series. Jordan Bianchi from Athletic broke the news and shared a report on what seems to be NASCAR’s grand new scheme surrounding the championship races. The announcement marks a significant shift in NASCAR’s recent tradition, which has seen Phoenix Raceway serve as the championship decider since 2020.

While the decision has still not been announced yet, strong sources say it will eventually happen, while many celebrating it online, it has also sparked a lot of confusion and debate: Is NASCAR completely dropping Phoenix as a playoff track—or just rotating the finale? And is Homestead taking over permanently or is this a one-off?

Let’s break it down.

Is NASCAR Dumping Phoenix?

Short answer: No, Phoenix is not being dumped entirely. The desert oval is losing its exclusive hold on the Championship Weekend, but it’s not disappearing from the calendar. According to multiple NASCAR sources, Phoenix will still host two races per year, just as it has in recent seasons. What it’s losing, for now, is the prestige of “going out with a bang” status.

This change is not because of poor logistics or declining ticket sales—it’s about the racing. While Phoenix Raceway has its strengths, many fans and drivers feel it hasn’t lived up to the drama expected of a championship race. The flat 1-mile track hasn’t always delivered the ‘edge-of-your-seat’ moments needed to crown a champion. The only thought that came to mind after the 2024 finale was – We got a championship, but not so much of a race.

And the fans have echoed that frustration with the frequency of comments like – “Phoenix doesn’t offer enough drama. Track position means too much, and it’s hard to pass.” “You want real action? Give us Homestead back.” And it seems NASCAR finally listened.

Is Homestead a Permanent Replacement?

Not quite—at least not yet. While Homestead-Miami Speedway has been granted the 2026 Championship Weekend, NASCAR hasn’t confirmed that it will remain the finale venue beyond that. Instead, there are strong hints that the championship race will rotate, “Wherever we can put on a great race… any oval where we can pull it off,” is what Steve O’Donnell said in the launch episode of NASCAR’s Hauler Talk Podcast. In future seasons, much like the Super Bowl or College Football Playoff finals, we could see a different venue every year for the finale.

But the decision to bring back Homestead—even as a one-time return—is a major statement. The South Florida track hosted the championship from 2002 through 2019 and built a reputation for delivering high-intensity, multi-groove racing that let drivers control their destiny.

“It’s really a driver’s racetrack,” said Homestead Vice Mayor Sean Fletcher. “And that’s a great time of year to be in South Florida.” Track president Guillermo Santa Cruz added, “I want to see this become permanent, and I’m hopeful the championship will come back again.”

So while this may not be a permanent switch, it’s a clear nod to what fans and drivers have wanted for years. If Homestead lives up to expectations in 2026—and there’s every reason to believe it will—NASCAR may reconsider making it a long-term solution.

Trending

1

NASCAR Team Shuts Down Operations as 40 Years of Legacy Bites the Dust Against Financial Strain

2

Ex-NASCAR Champion & Motorsports Hall of Famer’s Death Leaves Racing World Mourning

3

Fans Worried for NASCAR Drivers’ Safety as Controversial Wrecker Rumored to Return for Talladega Race

4

Former NASCAR Driver Mourns the Tragic Loss of the “Strongest Woman” in His Life

5

NASCAR Fans Confused as Kyle Larson’s Insanity Forces Roger Penske to Bring the “Larson” Rule to IndyCar

Why the Change Now?

There’s more than racing quality at play here. Bringing the championship weekend back to Homestead is a win for the city and NASCAR’s brand. The event will generate $350 million in economic impact for the region.. And even without state or city incentives finalized, NASCAR chose to fund the event themselves—a strong sign of how important they believe this move is.

Homestead also fits NASCAR’s broader strategy of injecting variety into the schedule. The 2026 shift could be the start of a new era where multiple tracks get a shot at hosting the finale, making each season-ending race unique.

Final Thoughts

So, to answer the questions:

• Is NASCAR dumping Phoenix? No. It’s still in the rotation with two races per year.
  
• Is Homestead the permanent new finale? Also, no, but the 2026 race could be a trial run for something bigger.

The question now isn’t whether Phoenix is out or Homestead is in. It’s whether Homestead can deliver the kind of show that makes fans beg for it to stay.