For decades, NASCAR’s end-of-season celebrations have carried as much significance as the final checkered flag. From New York’s Waldorf Astoria to Las Vegas’ Wynn, and more recently, Nashville and Charlotte, the Awards Banquet has served as the sport’s grand finale. Each move has mirrored NASCAR’s efforts to balance tradition with market growth. When the ceremony returned to Charlotte in 2024, many believed the sport had re-anchored its biggest night at home. Yet the constant shuffling hinted that NASCAR was still weighing how to best showcase its champions, setting the stage for another major shift.

That uncertainty has fueled speculation across the garage in recent months. Industry insiders noted NASCAR’s tendency to link marquee events with strategic expansion. As a result, whispers grew louder about whether the banquet might follow the championship races or remain in a traditional hub. As stakeholders considered the growing prominence of Phoenix Raceway in hosting title deciders, the question changed for them. Suddenly, it was not if but when the sport would connect its season-ending celebration to the desert stage. That speculation has now become reality, reshaping NASCAR’s award calendar.

NASCAR schedule change brings the West closer

Officials have confirmed that the 2025 NASCAR Awards Banquet will take place on Tuesday, November 4, in Scottsdale, Arizona. This will be just two days after the Cup Series crowns its champion at the nearby Phoenix Raceway. NASCAR framed the move as part of a broader strategy to deliver more immersive and regionally dynamic experiences.

NASCAR EVP and Chief Brand Officer Tim Clark explained, “Scottsdale offers the perfect backdrop for this year’s NASCAR Awards. The incredible excitement from Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway will immediately carry into this year’s Awards, adding a level of energy we’ve never seen for this celebration.” By tying the banquet directly to the championship site, officials hope to keep the momentum rolling from track to stage.

The Scottsdale event will exclusively honor the champions of NASCAR’s national series. This will include all three, the Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks series, marking the first time the banquet takes place in Arizona.

Two weeks later, attention will turn back east for grassroots and international racing. NASCAR also announced that the Regional and International Series Awards will be held on November 21 at the Charlotte Convention Center. This signals that the city is central to developmental and global recognition. The split schedule reflects NASCAR’s dual focus, presenting its national stage in a high-profile championship market while still grounding its broader ecosystem in Charlotte, the sport’s longtime home.

This separation raises new questions about how NASCAR intends to structure its year-end celebrations moving forward. Will Scottsdale become the recurring site for the national banquet? Or will the event continue to rotate across major markets as it has since leaving New York in 2008?

For teams and media based in Charlotte, the logistical shift west adds travel costs. However, it also streamlines championship coverage for those already in Arizona. The only downside would be that fans in the Southeast may miss the accessibility of Charlotte. Regardless, the desert setting offers NASCAR a chance to court new audiences and sponsors in the Southwest.

In the coming years, the effectiveness of this change will hinge on fan engagement and stakeholder satisfaction. If the Scottsdale experiment succeeds in extending Championship Weekend’s buzz while preserving Charlotte’s importance through the grassroots awards, NASCAR may have found a formula to balance tradition with growth. If not, the banquet could once again become a nomadic fixture. For now, all eyes turn to Phoenix and Scottsdale this November, where the award recipients will be decided for 2025.

Who will bag an award ahead of NASCAR schedule change?

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been a rollercoaster, with unexpected twists and heated battles shaping the championship narrative. From dominant streaks on superspeedways to clutch performances on road courses, every race has mattered. As the final laps approach at Phoenix Raceway, fans and teams alike are already speculating about the season’s standout performers. Beyond the checkered flag, the annual NASCAR Awards loom large. This would be a stage where consistency, breakout talent, and surprises are recognized. This year, the stakes feel higher than ever.

Traditionally, award predictions spark debates in garages and fan forums alike, and this year is no different. Analysts point to a handful of drivers who have combined raw speed with relentless consistency. Some names have dominated headlines with surprise wins or record-breaking runs. Meanwhile, others quietly built the kind of steady season that commands attention. As the countdown to Scottsdale grows, it’s clear that the winners of the Cup, Rookie, and Most Improved categories will not just be about flashy moments but about the full arc of the season.

When performance metrics are examined, one driver stands out in the ‘best driver’ conversation: William Byron. His season-long consistency, punctuated by multiple wins and a 13.96 average finish, positions him as the likely favorite. Many note that while competitors like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell had individual race dominance, Byron’s ability to remain in contention week after week sets him apart. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Shane van Gisbergen has turned heads with four wins and record-setting pace for a first-year driver. Beating his only rival, Riley Herbst, this has made him the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. His dominance on both ovals and road courses underscores a versatility rarely seen in newcomers.

Chase Briscoe emerges as the leading candidate for Most Improved Driver. He has had a season that reflects a leap in top-five finishes, pole positions, and overall performance after moving to Joe Gibbs Racing. On the flip side, Tyler Reddick has struggled to match the output of his teammate Bubba Wallace. This will likely make him a contender for Biggest Disappointment, a label grounded less in potential and more in season-long underachievement. While final results will always carry an element of unpredictability, current stats, track trends, and driver consistency make these projections compelling indicators of who will walk away with trophies in Scottsdale this November.