NASCAR has ruled out Daytona International Speedway as a potential site for its Championship Weekend, a top executive said Tuesday, quashing any speculation that the season might both begin and end at Daytona.
Instead, the season finale in 2026 will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway, a 1.5-mile track that previously hosted the championship event from 2002 to 2019. The event will be held November 6–8 and include the Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series.
Phoenix Raceway, which has hosted the championship races since 2020, will remain in rotation for future finales, along with other potential venues. However, superspeedways like Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta—as well as road courses like Circuit of the Americas, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval—are off the table. NASCAR EVP Ben Kennedy emphasized the organization’s preference for short and intermediate tracks, stating that the championship race should reflect traditional NASCAR racing.
While Kennedy didn’t completely rule out superspeedways forever, he noted they currently aren’t seen as fitting the competitive and strategic style NASCAR seeks for its season-ending event. He said road courses fall into a similar category.
Other tracks unlikely to host the championship due to weather, market limitations, or scheduling conflicts include Michigan, New Hampshire, Pocono, Dover, Indianapolis, Iowa, Richmond, and World Wide Technology Raceway. Darlington is also unlikely because its Southern 500 is a historic Labor Day tradition.
Bristol and Martinsville have potential, but concerns over November weather and facility limitations like hospitality suites or proximity to major cities could hinder their chances. Ending the season earlier could make some of these tracks more viable, but adjusting the schedule would be complicated, especially if the NFL expands its season and shifts the Super Bowl.
Aside from Phoenix and Homestead, other tracks that could be in the running for future Championship Weekends include:
Las Vegas Motor Speedway – A 1.5-mile track hosting playoff races since 2018.
Texas Motor Speedway – Another 1.5-mile venue, it was a playoff fixture from 2005–2023.
Kansas Speedway – Hosts playoff events since 2004, but fall weather could be an obstacle.
Charlotte Motor Speedway (Oval) – Hosted playoff races until 2017 before the switch to the Roval.
NASCAR will also consider factors like climate and fan accessibility when selecting future venues.
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