Report: NASCAR considering rotating championship track beyond Phoenix, Homestead-Miami

There has been a lot of talk and conjecture about the NASCAR championship and playoff system. Is there change on the horizon? At least when it comes to the venue of the season finale, there may soon be.

According to a recent report from Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell is mulling over the idea of rotating the championship. Phoenix has hosted the final race of the year every year since 2020.

The immediate answer everyone points out is Homestead-Miami Speedway. It is a track that produces the best racing in the Cup Series and it will be undergoing renovations in 2025. But O’Donnell isn’t limiting the championship to only two tracks in the event a rotating schedule is introduced.

“So, it’s going to be hard to replicate, if we were to move,” the COO said, via Stern. “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.”

When it comes to rotating the race, location plays a major role. The track has to be updated and modern with great facilities. You have to have a good audience in the stands. No one wants the stands half-full at the championship race.

Weather also plays a factor. Racing in November can be difficult. We have seen the difference temperature makes for tires at a track like Bristol and Dover.

Should NASCAR championship return to Miami?

Before Phoenix got the honor of hosting the championship, Homestead-Miami was the destination for champions. So, it’s not unprecedented if the title race went back to the track.

Others have pointed out that Las Vegas or Charlotte could host. They are two tracks that pair well with the Next Gen car and give drivers a real opportunity to race for the championship with their skills and not just the speed of their car and aero blocking.

Are there other tracks that could host? Kansas would be an electric championship venue, but the weather is likely too unpredictable and cold in November to expect a good crowd. But the racing would be fantastic.

Perhaps if NASCAR ever builds the Fontana short track it could host a championship. I’m somehow skeptical that we will see that track any time soon, let alone a race, let alone a championship race. Then again, you never know what is going to happen in this sport.