Homestead-Miami Speedway Poised to Host 2026 NASCAR Championship Weekend
Homestead-Miami Speedway is reportedly set to reclaim its role as the host for NASCAR’s championship weekend in 2026, according to insider information shared by The Athletic’s NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi. This move would see the Florida track temporarily replace Phoenix Raceway, which has held the finale since 2020.
Previously, Homestead-Miami was the traditional site for the season finale across all three national NASCAR series — Cup, Xfinity, and Truck — from 2002 through 2019. Bianchi’s report suggests the 2026 return will be a one-off, with NASCAR eyeing a new venue for the 2027 championship.
Track President Guillermo Santa Cruz remains optimistic about the return, stating, “It’s definitely something I want to see happen. And I’m hopeful in the not-too-distant future the championship will come back.”
Homestead-Miami’s Vice Mayor, Sean Fletcher, emphasized the potential economic and cultural impact, noting that hosting the event could generate around $350 million in local revenue. “It’s really a big deal for the city. The drivers love the track — it’s truly a driver’s racetrack. And the weather in South Florida is perfect that time of year,” he said.
NASCAR has yet to issue an official comment on the matter. The possible shift comes as Phoenix Raceway faces criticism following the 2024 championship weekend, with fans labeling the race as predictable and lacking excitement.
Driver Reactions:
Ryan Blaney acknowledged Phoenix Raceway’s strengths, defending its racing quality and fan experience. However, he’s also open to rotating the finale between tracks. “I’m not opposed to having it move around… but Phoenix has done a great job with hospitality and putting on solid shows,” he said.
Justin Allgaier, current Xfinity Series leader, also praised Phoenix. “It’s a challenging track that pushes both drivers and crews,” he said, calling it a venue that “tests what a team is really capable of.”
Denny Hamlin, driver and team co-owner, supports Homestead’s return to a larger role in the championship format. “This is a track where the driver has a bigger impact than the car,” he said, expressing a desire to see it integrated into the playoff mix or championship race.
William Byron, when asked earlier in the season, said he’s hopeful the championship finale returns to Homestead. “We’ve had strong results there and I think it’s due for being the final race again,” he said.
While nothing is confirmed, momentum appears to be building for Homestead-Miami’s return to championship weekend in 2026.
