“Arizona’s proud to be the premier destination for the biggest events in all of sports. ISM Raceway will provide nothing short of the greatest experience in all of motorsports for NASCAR’s biggest weekend,” Arizona Governor Doug Ducey proudly said in 2019 when it was announced that NASCAR’s season finale would move from Homestead-Miami Speedway to Phoenix.

At the time, the decision made sense. Phoenix offered a fresh market, modern infrastructure, and an enthusiastic fan base eager to host NASCAR’s biggest moment. But over time, fans couldn’t help but miss that special Miami vibe: the tropical energy, the sunsets over Turn 3, and that end-of-season buzz unique to South Florida. Now, as NASCAR prepares to bring the championship finale back to Homestead, big upgrades are already in motion to make the homecoming unforgettable.

NASCAR president confirms new Homestead look

Since 2020, Homestead had moved out of the championship race, but the new rotating playoff finale model brings the crown back to South Florida. Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured the sentiment succinctly during a recent conversation, “Going back to Miami for the finale. You left there.”

Homestead’s storied past as the championship battleground is legendary, and there is a shared sense that the return “feels right.” President Steve O’Donnell reminisced, “I always remembered, you know, Sunday night, you know, whenever Monday, you’re driving back, it just felt right.” For years (2002 to 2019), the venue served as the climactic showdown where NASCAR’s greatest champions celebrated glorious triumphs.

Legendary drivers like Jimmie Johnson won seven championships there, tying a record for most titles at a single track. Similarly, Tony Stewart claimed two memorable victories (tied most with Kyle Larson) at the storied venue. In recent years, modern stars such as Kyle Larson and William Byron continued the tradition, capturing wins and adding to the track’s legacy as the season finale battleground.

However, the Homestead of 2026 will be far from the one fans remember. “I think we’ll bring that back. We’re doing a lot to the track,” said Steve O’Donnell, highlighting extensive venue upgrades. Though the racing surface remains untouched and in excellent condition, NASCAR and Homestead promoters are working on several “cosmetic” improvements.

Expect fresh coats of paint, enhanced seating, revamped suites, hospitality upgrades, and improved fan experiences throughout the venue. According to track president Guillermo Santa Cruz, these enhancements aim to elevate the atmosphere into a “first-class championship venue” reminiscent of its glory days.

These renovations are part of NASCAR’s broader commitment to presenting a world-class environment as the sport embraces its evolving playoff structure. As O’Donnell put it, “This isn’t the Homestead that I left. This is going to look really cool even compared to last year.” Those words are surely promising. This return signals a blend of tradition and progress. It will be a venue reborn but reverent of its past poetic significance in motorsports.

Other major changes coming to NASCAR’s 2026 season

Return to Homestead-Miami isn’t the only change lined up for the 2026 NASCAR season. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell revealed during an interview on the Dale Jr. Download that one of the most notable technical upgrades will be an increase in horsepower.

The horsepower will be raised from the current 670 HP to 750 HP at all road courses and oval tracks under 1.5 miles. This planned enhancement is designed to give drivers more power and improve racing quality, particularly at short tracks and technical circuits where passing and car control are paramount.

Tracks like Bristol, Martinsville, Richmond, and Watkins Glen will all feature this increased horsepower, a change that has been well received by fans and drivers looking for more exciting on-track action. “We hear the fans, we hear the industry…This is about hitting the sweet spot,” O’Donnell said.

Alongside the horsepower boost, NASCAR is considering expanding innovation within the Next Gen Cup car structure. While the spec car model introduced a few years ago helped control racing costs and level the playing field, there is now openness at NASCAR’s leadership level to allow more engineering development and team customization.

O’Donnell explained that this shift could allow teams and manufacturers to showcase new technologies, craft performance advantages, and inject fresh competition dynamics. This is a strategic attempt to balance cost containment with innovation and keep NASCAR’s racing product evolving in an era of rapid automotive change.

Another key area of focus for NASCAR in 2026 is a potential retooling of the playoff format. Though no firm decisions have been announced, O’Donnell shared that feedback from drivers like Christopher Bell is steering NASCAR away from the current one-race, winner-take-all final. The goal is to create a playoff system that rewards season-long excellence and maintains unpredictability without harshly punishing consistent champions.

These developments – horsepower surge, Next Gen innovation, and playoff reconsideration – signal NASCAR’s commitment to evolving the sport while honoring tradition. Fans can expect an enhanced, more exciting race experience in 2026 as NASCAR embraces change on multiple fronts.