Back in 2011, when Tony Stewart rolled into Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2011, he was already writing one of the most dramatic chapters in NASCAR history. He wasn’t supposed to be a title contender. Even he said so. But under stormy skies and enormous pressure, Stewart delivered a performance that would live in racing lore. He made 118 on-track passes, overcame a hole in the grill of his Chevrolet, and held off Carl Edwards in a championship finale that ended with both drivers tied in points. Stewart won the title on a tiebreaker, having collected five wins to Edwards’ one.

“That shows how bad I wanted to win this thing… When you’re going for a championship, you can’t hold anything back,” Stewart said in victory lane, soaked from the rain and the moment. It was a spectacle, a chaotic, emotional, unforgettable race that left fans breathless and the motorsport world buzzing. For years, Homestead was the heartbeat of NASCAR’s championship finale. From 2002 to 2019, it consistently delivered edge-of-your-seat racing, unforgettable moments, and a perfect backdrop for crowning champions.

But in 2020, NASCAR shocked fans and competitors alike by moving the finale to Phoenix Raceway, favoring its upgraded facilities and more central geography. The reaction was swift. Many, including drivers, weren’t shy about their displeasure. The flat, one-mile Phoenix layout failed to produce the thrilling finales that Homestead regularly delivered.

This discontent grew louder each year. Still, NASCAR stayed committed. But now, after six years of controversy and countless debates, NASCAR is finally listening. In a move that sends shockwaves through the sport, Homestead is back as host of the 2026 championship weekend. But there’s a twist. NASCAR isn’t simply going back to its old ways.

On Tuesday, NASCAR officially announced that Homestead-Miami Speedway will host the 2026 championship weekend. The Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series finales will run from Nov. 6-8, marking the first time since 2019 that the title will be decided there. The move was met with celebration across the garage and among fans. The return comes after years of calls to bring it back. And it came with a bang.

NASCAR released a special video advertisement involving two-time Cup Series champion and last champion to be crowned at Homestead-Miami, Kyle Busch, and 2012 Cup Champion Brad Keselowski. In a playful, futuristic video with a nod to the Back to the Future franchise, the arch rivals revealed the news. Later, Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President, confirmed the move, saying, “We talked about it for quite a while, but we felt this was the right opportunity, the right time to do it.” Kennedy credited new track president Guillermo Santa Cruz for pushing hard and said recent racing at the track played a big role.

“We have a great new president down there with Guillermo taking the lead; (the track) has put on some amazing races, and this was a big opportunity for us to shake things up,” he added. But there’s a major caveat. Homestead won’t hold onto the championship race for long. Starting in 2026, NASCAR will rotate its Championship Weekend across various tracks. It’s a massive departure from tradition. This format mirrors how the NFL and college football move their title games across the country. “It is a change. We’ve made other bold changes… One of the remaining things on our checklist is to begin rotating our championship,” Kennedy said.

Notably, Homestead’s recent races played a big role in this return. Last fall’s playoff race had three different leaders in the last three laps. Tyler Reddick surged to victory in dramatic style. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson dominated in March 2025 with 27 lead changes. Drivers love it. “It’s just an awesome race track. Definitely the best across all the series,” Larson said after the race. Christopher Bell added, “It leads to some amazing races.”

Additionally, the numbers have been pretty strong for recent races. The Straight Talk Wireless 400 in March drew 2.464 million viewers, outpacing 2024’s fall race at the same track. Homestead’s return also taps into NASCAR’s roots in the Southeast, where fans can more easily drive in from Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. According to The Athletic, local officials, including Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chair Kionne McGhee, have pledged support through services and tourism tax incentives.

The return to Miami marks more than nostalgia — it’s a strategic pivot. But NASCAR now faces a new challenge: managing Phoenix’s role, especially after a massive investment. What happens to all that Phoenix money? And what’s next for NASCAR’s championship plans?

What happens to NASCAR’s Phoenix money?

Phoenix Raceway may no longer be the exclusive host of Championship Weekend, but its importance to NASCAR remains intact, at least financially and structurally. Since 2020, Phoenix invested over $100 million in upgrades, hoping to cement its spot as the sport’s final battleground. NASCAR’s pivot raises questions about how that money will be utilized moving forward.

Ben Kennedy confirmed Phoenix won’t be left in the cold. “Phoenix will continue to host two Cup Series events,” he said. One of those will remain in the playoffs, part of the semifinal Round of 8. This ensures high-stakes racing still returns to the desert, even if the ultimate crowning moment moves elsewhere. NASCAR also hopes Phoenix’s facilities can be used for other major events. Those could include All-Star races, testing sessions, or even preseason exhibitions.

“The facility still offers a lot, and we intend to use it creatively,” a Kennedy noted. The city’s warm climate and modern amenities make it an ideal year-round destination. Beyond Phoenix, NASCAR’s rotating finale plan aims to bring the title race to more regions. Florida, California, and possibly even the Midwest or Las Vegas could all become future hosts. This flexibility opens the door for underused or reimagined tracks to step into the spotlight. North Wilkesboro, Nashville, or even international options could eventually host a Championship Weekend. With the All-Star Race, the Clash, and now the championship all moving, NASCAR’s new identity is dynamic and mobile.