The place can NASCAR take the title race with new rotating finale?

Varied tracks have hosted the NASCAR finale within the sport’s previous, however solely 4 at present on the schedule have ever held the honour earlier than. However none held it longer than Homestead, internet hosting the championship-decider yearly between 2002 and 2019.

The season finale has change into more and more vital prior to now decade because of the introduction of the knockout-style playoff format. 4 drivers, equal on factors, enter the finale annually in a one-race battle to win all of it. The identical group has gained the title at Phoenix all three years of the Subsequent Gen period and several other have been essential of the observe’s potential to placed on a present. The observe did make a number of spectacular upgrades, town did loads of promotion, however the racing product has been missing.

This week, NASCAR’s Ben Kennedy talked about what it takes to be thought of for the finale as the game embarks on this plan to rotate the thirty sixth points-paying race of the 12 months. Among the keys: Should be situated in a engaging market, a good local weather for November, a powerful on-track product, and an absence of a wildcard issue.

Primarily based on Kennedy’s feedback, superspeedways and street programs are out of the query for the rapid future. In order that leaves us with intermediates and quick tracks, however the quick observe package deal has been severely missing in recent times. Excluding Homestead and Phoenix, let’s check out the opposite tracks which are attainable frontrunners to hitch this rotating schedule and someday change into the season finale.

1. Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Las Vegas is a large market with lots of eyeballs, which is a significant plus, however LVMS can also be an exciting intermediate observe with nice racing. The present technology of automobile races greatest at these 1.5-mile ovals, and Vegas has proven curiosity in internet hosting the finale earlier than. There’s additionally minimal hazard of a rainout, so it is exhausting to check a cause to not give it a strive. 

2. Charlotte Motor Speedway

This metropolis is the heartbeat of the NASCAR world and already hosts a crown jewel with the Coke 600 in Might. And what higher place to crown the champion of NASCAR than in NASCAR’s personal yard? Whereas the autumn race at present takes place on the Roval, a return to the oval format must occur if CMS change into the title-decider. And sure, as one other intermediate oval, there must be no concern over the on-track product.

3. Kansas Speedway

Not probably the most flashy of locations, however there is not any denying that Kansas is the motion observe of recent NASCAR. Practically each race there in recent times has been stuffed to the brim with drama. It is just like Vegas in some methods, but additionally distinctive because the artwork of working proper in opposition to the wall is essential to be quick. It additionally holds the report for the closest end in the complete historical past of the Cup Collection, set when Kyle Larson beat Chris Buescher by 0.001s in 2024.

4. Nashville Superspeedway

Please ignore the official observe identify as it isn’t a real superspeedway, however a singular intermediate observe. This can be a market that additionally loves its NASCAR. The summer time race at Nashville has solely graced the collection’ schedule for a number of years, nevertheless it has shortly change into one of many extra standard ones and has produced a number of nice moments. And there is that iconic guitar gifted to the race winner. Nashville can also be completely different from a lot of the different bigger ovals on the schedule as a concrete observe measuring 1.330 miles in size. And it is Nashville, which has hosted the end-of-year banquet earlier than, so why not the finale?

5. Darlington Raceway

Like Charlotte, Darlington already hosts a crown jewel — the oldest in NASCAR with the Southern 500 relationship again to 1950. Sure, Darlington is dripping with historical past, nevertheless it’s additionally some of the tough tracks on the complete schedule. The observe by no means fails to placed on a present and it’s unforgiving when drivers make errors. As a real problem for the very best drivers within the sport, it is the right place for placing the Championship 4 to the last word check. However there’s a downside: You would need to transfer the Southern 500 from its conventional Labor Day weekend slot, and it isn’t precisely a thriving market both.

6. Texas Motor Speedway

Folks undoubtedly have causes to be hesitant about Texas, however we can also’t ignore the advantages both. It is situated within the coronary heart of Texas close to a metropolis of 1 million individuals and regardless of the botched reconfiguration, the circuit has placed on some dramatic reveals in recent times — largely attributable to how difficult the observe is to navigate. It is also in an excellent location when taking a look at November. The observe is getting older nicely and whereas passing is tough, however the latest Cup races there do not actually classify as ‘boring.’ Definitely not a favourite, however one which NASCAR absolutely has to think about (after the 5 forward of it after all).

7. Richmond Raceway

We’ve type of run out of practical intermediate tracks at this level. And as a lot as I would like to throw Michigan on this checklist, the climate holds me again. If solely there was one other observe just like Michigan that has nice November climate…maybe one situated in California. Sadly, that observe is now misplaced to us, and when taking a look at quick tracks, this one is main the way in which. It is simpler to move than at a Martinsville and if there have been a number of tire compounds like we noticed in 2024, then we might actually be in for a present. It is location is nice and the climate must be effective in Virginia. 

8. Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol seems to be like a title-decider and it seems like a title-decider. It has every part you would need when speaking about environment, however the observe has seen some uninteresting races with this automobile. If NASCAR can repair the quick observe package deal, Bristol would vault ahead on this checklist, however right now, eighth is the very best we are able to do for the ‘Final Nice Colosseum.’ 

9. Martinsville Speedway

Already near the tip of the 12 months, Martinsville was as soon as a spot — like Bristol — the place motion was assured. It too has suffered with the present quick observe package deal and certain should not be thought of except a repair is discovered. Passing is nearly unattainable and excluding Ross Chastain heroic wall-ride, it has been missing in drama. Bonuses are its deep roots within the sport and weather-friendly location.

10. A observe but to hitch the schedule

We’ll name this the thriller spot. NASCAR is at all times tweaking their schedule and who is aware of what tracks on the market might find yourself as a part of the 36-race season sooner or later. Gateway and Iowa just lately joined and there are many different circuits on the market.