Darlington, Charlotte, Las Vegas? NASCAR Namedrops Possible Tracks For Championship Race
What’s Happening? During Friday’s State of the Sport press conference, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell was asked if NASCAR’s Championship weekend would…
In the first episode of the Dale Jr. Download following the NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale at Phoenix, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his thoughts on leaving Phoenix. It appears that the NASCAR legend is in the same boat as many fans of NASCAR when it comes to NASCAR’s championship race.
NASCAR’s Next Gen Car has had a lackluster time racing on the series’ short tracks. Unfortunately, the winner-take-all season finale is also on a short track. Phoenix Raceway, known for its creative start/finish line placement, has hosted the event since 2020, and fans have been awaiting a change since the introduction of the Next Gen car.
This week on the Dale Jr. Download, this topic comes up anytime NASCAR visits Phoenix, championship race or not. In his response, Jr. flattered the track while also saying, “I think it’s ran its course.”
“Should we race somewhere else for the final race of the year? We probably should move it around. I think that Phoenix has had a great run.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr Download.
Many fans share this sentiment, that the championship race should have this shakeup. The thing is, despite Phoenix’s great reputatoin, NASCAR might agree.
Many fans share the sentiment that the championship race should have this shakeup. The thing is, despite Phoenix’s great reputation, NASCAR might agree.
To Phoenix’s benefit, the track has repetitive sellouts and is known for its great fan experience. In this clip, Jr. bragged about the track’s event space and bar, “the Barn.” Phoenix also offers a viewing experience from the top of Monument Hill and camper parking along the backstretch.
Last Friday, in NASCAR’s State of the Sport press conference, both NASCAR President Steve Phelps and NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell bragged about the track, its fans, and its facility. However, they also listed outside options for hosting the championship race in the future. These tracks included Charlotte, Darlington, Las Vegas, and Homestead, notably all intermediate tracks.
What’s Happening? During Friday’s State of the Sport press conference, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell was asked if NASCAR’s Championship weekend would…
While Phoenix may be the model track for NASCAR, championship race viewership, which declined -0.025 million from 2023 to 2024, could spell an end to its time as NASCAR’s “home plate.”
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