The host observe of NASCAR’s finale modified typically in its early years. It actually wasn’t till the Nineteen Seventies when the sequence started to see some type of consistency, with Ontario Speedway internet hosting the ultimate race from 1974 to 1980, after which Riverside Worldwide Raceway till 1986. From 1987 by way of the 12 months 2000, the season concluded at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 2001 could be an outlier 12 months as a result of cancelled New Hampshire race following the tragic occasions of 9/11, which moved that race to the very finish of the season. However between 2002 and 2019, the NASCAR season all the time concluded at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In 2020, NASCAR moved the ever-important final-four showdown to Phoenix Raceway, which can return to the top of the schedule once more for a sixth consecutive season in 2025. The observe made a number of spectacular upgrades, town did loads of promotion, however the racing product has been criticized and incessantly in comparison with its former house — the good Homestead.
Folks completely liked it there, and pleas for a return to the Southern Florida oval have solely grown louder with yearly that passes. Whereas a return to solely Homestead may be within the playing cards, a current remark from NASCAR Chief Working Officer Steve O’Donnell to the Sports activities Enterprise Journal means that the finale could find yourself rotating between varied tracks. That might definitely be fascinating and would possible forestall a single group from gaining a stranglehold on the title race like Penske has in recent times. However after all, the fast query is the place ought to they go? Listed below are my ideas:
Homestead-Miami Speedway: An apparent reply. The observe needs it. The followers need it. The drivers need it. Even when it is for one 12 months earlier than going elsewhere, a return to Homestead would excite your complete sport and most undoubtedly produce an exciting finale.
Todd Gilliland, Entrance Row Motorsports, gener8tor Ford Mustang, Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports, Chili’s Catch-a-Rita Chevrolet Camaro, Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Greenback Tree Toyota Camry
Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Las Vegas is a big market with loads of eyeballs, which is a serious plus, however LVMS can also be an exciting intermediate observe with nice racing. The present era of automotive races finest 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 ascertain a purpose to not give it a strive.
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Professional Outlets Toyota Camry and William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, RaptorTough.com Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Kansas Speedway: Not probably the most flashy of locations, however there isn’t any denying that Kansas is the motion observe of contemporary NASCAR. Almost each race there in recent times has been stuffed to the brim with drama. It is just like Vegas in some methods, but in addition distinctive because the artwork of operating proper in opposition to the wall is essential to be quick. It additionally holds the document for the closest end in your complete historical past of the Cup Sequence, set just some months in the past when Kyle Larson beat Chris Buescher by 0.001s.
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, Chris Buescher, RFK Racing, Castrol Edge Ford Mustang end
Photograph by: David Rosenblum / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Charlotte Motor Speedway: This metropolis is the heartbeat of the NASCAR world and already hosts a crown jewel with the Coke 600 in Could. 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 is probably going the most effective plan of action ought to CMS turn into the title-decider. And sure, as one other intermediate oval, there needs to be no concern over the on-track product.
Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, Household Greenback Toyota Camry and Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing, BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Nashville Superspeedway: A market that additionally loves its NASCAR. The summer season race at Nashville has solely graced the sequence’ schedule for a number of years, however it has shortly turn into one of many extra in style and has produced some nice moments. And there is that iconic guitar gifted to the race winner. Nashville can also be totally different from many of the different bigger ovals on the schedule as a concrete observe measuring 1.330 miles in size.
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, Columbia Sportswear Firm Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Darlington Raceway: Like Charlotte, Darlington already hosts a crown jewel — the oldest in NASCAR with the Southern 500 courting again to 1950. Sure, Darlington is dripping with historical past, however it’s additionally some of the tough tracks on your 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 most effective drivers within the sport, it is the right place for placing the Championship 4 to the final word check. However there’s a downside: You would need to transfer the Southern 500 from its conventional Labor Day weekend slot.
Daniel Suárez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway Insurance coverage Chevrolet Camaro Austin Cindric, Crew Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, NAPA Gold Filters Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Whereas contemplating a possible host tracks for the finale, you will discover we did not embody any drafting tracks. Producer loyalty is already unhealthy sufficient at a spot like Martinsville as we noticed earlier this 12 months, however a superspeedway would merely be 32 of the 36 vehicles working to place one among their producer teammates out entrance. It is also very potential that every one 4 contenders may get wrecked out of the race when the ‘Huge One’ strikes, which might be a bit awkward. However what a couple of street course finale? Very like quick tracks, we easy did not suppose it could be nice race with the present bundle on the Gen-7 vehicles. However we need to know the place you stand! Tell us what observe you suppose ought to host the title-decider for the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Sequence.
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