NASCAR Stars Demand a Championship Track Rotation as Phoenix Gets Old

The call for a rotational system for the NASCAR championship weekend track has gained traction following the recent Cup Series title-deciding race at Phoenix Raceway.

Both Denny Hamlin and Steve Letarte, prominent figures in the sport, have championed this idea as a way to inject new enthusiasm and unpredictability into the season. This discussion took place during an episode of Hamlin’s podcast “Actions Detrimental,” with the two highlighting a broad dissatisfaction with the monotony of the current system.

Phoenix Raceway has been a staple as the consistent venue for the NASCAR Cup Series championship race in recent years. However, this repetition has sparked a perception of monotony among fans and other stakeholders. Joey Logano, who clinched his third championship at Phoenix this year, has advocated for making the championship event more interesting for viewers. This mirrors what Hamlin and Letarte discussed, with the two suggesting that the excitement surrounding NASCAR’s biggest race of the season needs a boost.

Steve Letarte, a former crew chief-turned-broadcaster, has been particularly critical of the existing playoff format. He admitted the need for substantial changes, proposing a rotational system similar to the way cities host the Super Bowl. He argues that rotating the championship track every two to three years, among a set selection of tracks, would introduce the sort of variation and excitement that may appease fans.

“I would take the three-race championship, maybe not every year, because I’m not sure a city can lean in, in just one year, like they do the Super Bowl,” he said.

Hamlin and Letarte’s proposed tracks for rotation include Martinsville, Miami (Homestead-Miami Speedway), Las Vegas, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Then maybe the next year, but I think, you know, Martinsville, Miami, and Phoenix, to my mind are three tracks that cover the gamut of what you need,” Letarte explained. Similarly, Denny Hamlin added the potential of Las Vegas:

“You’ve got Vegas in there, too. It’s a good time of the year for Vegas.”

The introduction of a rotational system offers several advantages. It would likely increase unpredictability and anticipation among the season and potentially improve the quality of races during the championship. On top of this, it provides different tracks with opportunities to host the prestigious event, contributing to the diversity of challenges and experiences for both drivers and spectators.

“I’m not going to put us at NFL level, but I would like to see the last one of the three rotate. Same three tracks, but I think the order matters,” Letarte confirmed.

Despite the enthusiasm for these changes, logistical and contractual constraints mean the earliest possible implementation would be post-2025. The 2025 schedule has been finalized, implying a window of time for NASCAR to consider community and stakeholder feedback.

Of course, the feasibility of Letarte and Hamlin’s proposals hinges on NASCAR’s willingness to embrace innovation and adapt to changing fan expectations.

“I think you could even go Charlotte at the oval. I think Charlotte oval might be one of the best races we run.”

Any changes to the championship track format could dovetail with other new initiatives in NASCAR, such as the bracket-style in-season tournament slated for 2025. This indicates a broader appetite within NASCAR for experimenting with fresh formats and ideas, reflecting the league’s openness to evolve.

As the sport grapples with off-track issues like the ongoing lawsuit involving Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, innovative concepts like track rotation could offer a path forward, rejuvenating interest and engagement in NASCAR’s race weekends.