Numerous tracks have hosted the NASCAR finale within the sport’s previous, however solely 4 at present on the schedule have ever held the consideration earlier than.
The season finale has change into more and more necessary prior to now decade because of the introduction of the knockout-style playoff format. 4 drivers, equal on factors, enter the finale every year in a one-race battle to win all of it. The identical group has received the title at Phoenix all three years of the Subsequent Gen period and a number of other have been vital of the monitor’s capacity to placed on a present. The monitor did make a number of spectacular upgrades, town did loads of promotion, however the racing product has been missing.
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This week, NASCAR’s Ben Kennedy talked about what it takes to be thought-about for the finale as the game embarks on this plan to rotate the thirty sixth points-paying race of the yr. Among the keys: Should be situated in a enticing market, an honest local weather for November, a powerful on-track product, and a scarcity of a wildcard issue.
In order that leaves us with intermediates and brief tracks, however the brief monitor package deal has been severely missing lately. Excluding Homestead and Phoenix, let’s check out the opposite tracks which might be attainable frontrunners to hitch this rotating schedule and sooner or later change into the season finale.
1. Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas is a large market with a whole lot of eyeballs, which is a serious plus, however LVMS can also be an exhilarating intermediate monitor 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 onerous to ascertain a purpose 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 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 structure must occur if CMS change into the title-decider. And sure, as one other intermediate oval, there ought to be no concern over the on-track product.
3. Kansas Speedway
Not essentially the most flashy of locations, however there isn’t any denying that Kansas is the motion monitor of contemporary NASCAR. Practically each race there lately has been crammed to the brim with drama. It is just like Vegas in some methods, but additionally distinctive because the artwork of operating proper towards the wall is vital to be quick. It additionally holds the document for the closest end in your 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 monitor title as it is not a real superspeedway, however a novel intermediate monitor. This can be a market that additionally loves its NASCAR. The summer time race at Nashville has solely graced the collection’ schedule for just a few years, nevertheless it has shortly change into one of many extra in style ones and has produced a number of nice moments. And there is that iconic guitar gifted to the race winner. Nashville can also be totally different from a lot of the different bigger ovals on the schedule as a concrete monitor 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 your complete schedule. The monitor by no means fails to placed on a present and it’s unforgiving when drivers make errors. As a real problem for one of the 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 is not precisely a thriving market both.
6. Texas Motor Speedway
Folks positively 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 folks and regardless of the botched reconfiguration, the circuit has placed on some dramatic reveals lately — largely as a result of how difficult the monitor is to navigate. It is also in an important location when taking a look at November. The monitor is getting old effectively 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 certainly has to contemplate (after the 5 forward of it after all).
7. Richmond Raceway
Now we have form of run out of reasonable 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 monitor just like Michigan that has nice November climate…maybe one situated in California. Sadly, that monitor is now misplaced to us, and when taking a look at brief tracks, this one is main the best way. It is simpler to cross than at a Martinsville and if there have been a number of tire compounds like we noticed in 2024, then we may actually be in for a present. It is location is nice and the climate ought to be effective in Virginia.
8. Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol appears like a title-decider and it seems like a title-decider. It has the whole lot you might need when speaking about environment, however the monitor has seen some boring races with this automobile. If NASCAR can repair the brief monitor package deal, Bristol would vault ahead on this checklist, however right now, eighth is one of the best we are able to do for the ‘Final Nice Colosseum.’
9. Martinsville Speedway
Already near the tip of the yr, Martinsville was as soon as a spot — like Bristol — the place motion was assured. It too has suffered with the present brief monitor package deal and certain should not be thought-about until a repair is discovered. Passing is nearly inconceivable 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 monitor 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 may 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.
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