The weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway has come and gone. However, it left a lot of NASCAR fans with bittersweet feelings. After all, the 1.5-mile track has played host to the season-finale for almost two decades, giving us plenty of unforgettabloe moments and nailbiting finishes. Who can forget Kevin Harvick’s championship win in 2014? Or Kyle Busch’s Cup Series victories in 2015 and 2019?
Even though Phoenix Raceway has all the modern facilities and a prime location, many people in the motorsports world don’t think it can match the magic of Homestead-Miami Speedway. Its not just the fans who feel this way either, as FOX’s pit reporter Jamie Little called for the track to return as a Championship 4 venue.
NASCAR insider praises Homestead-Miami’s impact
Fans have long wondered if moving to ‘The Desert Oddball’ was the right move. While Phoenix Raceway has had its moments, transporting the Bill France Cup to the 1-mile track hasn’t been NASCAR’s most popular decision. In the last few weeks, rumors have been circulating about a potential return to Homestead-Miami Speedway, with Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron hinting at the same, saying, “It’s due for hopefully being the final race.” According to speculation, 2026 could mark a return to the venue and there’s plenty of excitement at the prospect already.
FOX Sports’ Jamie Little has also urged NASCAR to reconsider Homestead for the season finale. The play-by-play announcer said, “It’s just the way that track has worn out, it’s that it’s been built, the colors at the racetrack is just very unique. It’s just such a great place. I think we need to go back. I think the drivers are fans of going back. So if they do the renovation, yes, clean up the pit road, the area that we talked about. Maybe the garages. But leave the racetrack alone, please.”
It’s no secret that, unlike Phoenix Raceway, Homestead-Miami looks tired in comparison. The venue needs some much-needed upgrades, especially if the plan is to host a Championship 4 race. One of the reasons for the race being moved to ‘The Desert Oddball’ was that the venue underwent a $178 million renovation in 2018. For an occasion of this magnitude, having the best infrastructure is necessary, and as things stand, Homestead is lacking in this aspect.
However, it seems like the project is being backed by the City Council as well, who have approved a proposal to bring back the Championship 4 event next year. Vice Mayor Sean Fletcher went as far as to say, “We are in very high hopes that Homestead will be the championship host for 2026.” The sentiment is echoed by Homestead-Miami Speedway’s president, Guillermo Santa Cruz as well, who said, “It’s something I want to see happen. And I’m hopeful in the not-too-distant future the championship will come back.”
To add fuel to the fire, the track’s website has a listing for the ‘2026 NASCAR Cup Series Reserved Grandstand’ with the date set for November 1st, 2026. That’s around the time the season finale will be held. Could this mean the season-finale will return to the iconic track again? Time will tell. However, fans will hope the magic will be retained even if any renovations do take place at the venue.
NASCAR doubles down on Phoenix Raceway commitment
NASCAR has reiterated its commitment towards Phoenix Raceway, amidst the rumors and speculation surrounding the Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Over the years, plenty of proposals have been made, including the concept of rotating tracks for the season-finale. Las Vegas Motor Speedway has also been touted as a potential destination, as ‘The Diamond in the Desert’ can feature all the glitz and glamour of Sin City.
However, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell has shared his thoughts about moving away from Phoenix, saying, “So it’s going to be hard to replicate if we were to move, I would not limit something just to Miami if we were to rotate it. I think you’d have a broader look at venues that could host a championship but short term we’re in Phoenix, we’re extremely happy there and we want to make sure that whatever we do, we continue to grow the sport when it relates to the playoffs.”
This year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will not feature in the post-season, a prospect that isn’t going down well with Denny Hamlin. The veteran racer said, “I would certainly like to see it play a bigger factor in our championship.” Could NASCAR listen to fans’ pleas and finally make the switch from Phoenix Raceway to Southern Florida? While it may seem unlikely at the moment, it’s a door the sanctioning body won’t want to close permanently. Rotating season-finale venues seem like a more realistic possibility in the future, with Homestead-Miami being one of the venues.
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