Insider reveals plans for NASCAR Championship track beyond 2026 season at Homestead-Miami

NASCAR Championship Weekend has a new home in 2026. Homestead-Miami Speedway is expected to host once again, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reported Monday.

But beyond next season, NASCAR will take Championship Weekend around the country. Bianchi said the sanctioning body plans to rotate to a different track every year. Phoenix Raceway, which has hosted Championship Weekend since 2020, is expected to be included in the rotation.

Homestead hosted Championship Weekend from 2002-19. Phoenix has been the site for the last five Championship races and will be once again this November. But there had been a renewed push to see NASCAR take its Championship back to Homestead. The 1.5-mile Homestead is lauded as one of the more entertaining tracks on the schedule.

Bianchi reported last month that Guillermo Santa Cruz, named Homestead track president this past July, and elected local officials were pushing for the Championship to come back to South Florida. While an official announcement is planned in the coming weeks, it appears a deal is done.

“It’s really a big deal for the city of Homestead,” Homestead vice mayor Sean Fletcher told Bianchi last month. “I think it’s the perfect race for the drivers; they love the track. It’s really a driver’s racetrack. And that’s a great time of year to be in South Florida.”

NASCAR Championship Weekend reportedly on the move

Denny Hamlin broke down the pros and cons of Homestead as opposed to Phoenix during an “Actions Detrimental” episode released last month. Hamlin likes the racing at Homestead but questioned its outdated facilities.

“I do believe the Phoenix atmosphere in infield is a little better than Homestead,” Hamlin said. “Homestead, I think it’s time for some upgrades to that facility. It’s NASCAR’s show, are they willing to invest into the facility to make it up to date with championship venues of other sports or not? That’s TBD. … Phoenix — regardless of what you think about the racing there — it has all the things that it needs to be a Championship Weekend.

“… Phoenix fans have always supported that racetrack. Spring, summer, wherever it is, they come out in great numbers The fans just feel like they’re closer. It is more intimate surrounded by these mountains. It’s got everything, if just the racing could be a little better.”