As the 2024 NASCAR season speeds towards its grand finale in Phoenix, racing legend Kevin Harvick has a bold solution to revamp the season’s climax—and it could change the sport’s landscape.
For years, the Phoenix Raceway has hosted NASCAR’s championship race, but fans and drivers alike have questioned if it’s the right fit. Many still yearn for the days when Homestead-Miami Speedway was the site of the finale, delivering heart-stopping races in a unique, challenging setting. Now, Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, has proposed a thrilling answer: a rotation of finale tracks, swapping between Phoenix, Homestead, and possibly Las Vegas.
“I hope at some point we start cycling these championship races,” Harvick shared, eager to see Homestead reclaim a role in the series’ crowning event. “Even if it’s just Phoenix and Homestead, it would be an incredible rotation that would bring back Homestead’s special feel.” Harvick’s vision is simple yet powerful: alternate between two or three iconic tracks, making each season finale feel fresh while keeping fans across multiple regions engaged.
Taking his idea a step further, Harvick suggested adding Las Vegas Motor Speedway into the mix. Known for its electric atmosphere and ideal late-fall weather, Las Vegas could provide an unforgettable setting for NASCAR’s championship race. “Vegas would make an amazing host city,” he pointed out. “Every three years, rotating between Phoenix, Homestead, and Vegas—it would be a great cycle of events that fans and drivers could get excited about.”
Despite his push for change, Harvick clarified that his idea isn’t a knock against Phoenix, which he believes has done an admirable job as the host. “Phoenix has a different vibe, but Homestead had its own magic,” he said, emphasizing the unique atmosphere each track brings to the season finale. “There’s good from both.”
Harvick’s proposal, if implemented, could bring new energy and market reach to NASCAR’s season-ender, creating a dynamic conclusion to the sport’s yearlong battle. Whether NASCAR officials will heed his advice remains to be seen, but with Harvick’s legacy and vision behind it, the idea just might take off.