NASCAR Championship Races Shockingly Expected to Return to Homestead-Miami in 2026
According to multiple reports, Homestead-Miami Speedway is being revived for NASCAR’s Championship Weekend next season. The track has hosted Xfinity, Craftsman, and Cup Series events since its opening in 1995, and playoffs from 2002 to 2019. In 2020, the franchise boldly moved the championship race to Phoenix, infuriating fans. Officials cited wanting to grow NASCAR’s fan base on the West Coast and Florida’s unpredictable weather as factors in the decision. The move to Phoenix Raceway has seemingly been a resounding success.
In 2024 alone, the race became one of the most-watched sporting events broadcast, which rounds up to a 20% increase from 2023. The November event has become just as much of a staple as Homestead-Miami, likely due to some of the most historic moments in NASCAR history, including Martin Truex Jr.’s retirement and Joey Logano’s third championship win in 2024. Even so, the proposed return to Homestead-Miami Speedway is likely to be well received by fans because of its history of producing consecutive winners.
Some of the track’s most notable winners include semi-retired drivers Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart and full-time driver Denny Hamlin. However, don’t get too excited because it’s only expected to be home to NASCAR’s esteemed championship weekend for the 2026 season. The focus will shift in 2027 to another speedway, and it’s rumored that a new location will be selected each year to draw more overall attention to the sport.
How NASCAR’s Return to Homestead-Miami is a Financial Incentive
According to Homestead-Miami Speedway president Guillermo Santa Cruz, the city is anticipating the return of the NASCAR Championship Weekend. Santa Cruz has been working closely with city officials to develop a financial incentive package that would aid in making necessary repairs to the track, as it hasn’t been updated since 2018. It’s speculative that the reason for this is an economic boost for the city of Homestead.
Vice Mayor Sean Fletcher recently spoke to the media regarding his thoughts on the proposal, reflecting on how it would bring over $300 million in local revenue. He also contended that it’s just as important to the drivers for the event to be resurrected as it is for the city of Homestead. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, who has won at the track three times, one of which earned him his 40th career win this season, agrees. He mentioned that he would also like to see Homestead play a role in the championship. He added that it didn’t matter how NASCAR decided to achieve it, as long as it occurs.
“It’s really a big deal for the city of Homestead,” Fletcher said. “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.” Homestead-Miami Vice Mayor Sean Fletcher said of NASCAR’s proposed return.
“I would certainly like to see Homestead play a bigger factor in our championship,” Hamlin said. “Whether it’s in the playoffs, just a part of the championship race or round, or whatever it might be, I’d like to see it be a part of that, as, like we just talked about, the driver makes a bigger difference at this track compared to the car,” he concluded.
Final Thoughts
Though temporary, NASCAR’s move back to Homestead-Miami brings many opportunities for both the city of Homestead and the franchise itself. With Homestead-Miami Speedway president Guillermo Santa Cruz and state and local government officials, the iconic championship weekend will shine like never before. NASCAR has not yet made a statement on the proposal, but is expected to speak about it in the coming days.
