The NASCAR season wraps up this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where champions will be crowned across all three national series. This guide covers everything you need to know about the weekend, including the season’s developments and what lies ahead.
Why Is the Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
The finale returns to the track that hosted season finales from 2002 through 2019. The 1.5-mile oval features progressive banking that starts at 18 degrees near the apron and increases to 20 degrees near the wall. This design allows drivers running along the wall to maintain more momentum and potentially overtake competitors despite covering more distance.
Has the Format Changed from the Last Decade?
Yes, the previous “Champ 4” format where the top four drivers battled it out and the best finisher took the title has been replaced. NASCAR returned to a modified Chase format that involves resetting points (with a 100-point spread between first and 16th place) after the regular season. Then, a 10-race playoff series (nine races in O’Reilly and seven in trucks) determines the champion.
Will Fans Need to Do Some Math?
Indeed, points will determine the outcome based on four factors: finishing position in the first and second stages (with points awarded from 10 to 1 for the top 10 finishers), race finishing position (55 points to the winner, then a decreasing scale from 35 to 1 for places second through 36th, and 1 point for 37th through 40th), plus an additional point for the fastest lap in the race. If there is a tie, the driver with the best finish during the Chase wins the tiebreaker.
What Are the Current Standings?
- In Cup, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports leads by 67 points over Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) and by 70 points over Denny Hamlin (also Joe Gibbs Racing). Larson holds all the tiebreakers and needs only nine points in the race to clinch the championship, which could come through eight stage points or finishing 28th without any stage points. Bell and Hamlin both require a win plus numerous stage points (14 and 17, respectively) and potentially the fastest lap to remain in contention.
- In the O’Reilly series, Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports) leads the pack, ahead by margins ranging from 22 to 42 points over Jesse Love, Corey Day, Carson Kvapil, and Sheldon Creed. Final points scenarios will be clarified after the race stages.
- In the Truck Series, Kaden Honeycutt (Tricon Garage) holds a 20-point lead over Layne Riggs (Front Row Motorsports), with final scenarios also pending.
Is There Still a Real Chance for Others to Win?
Yes for the O’Reilly and Truck series, but in the Cup series, Bell and Hamlin face steep odds. NASCAR didn’t even include them alongside Larson during the championship weekend media day, highlighting Larson’s commanding position. Larson reflected on the situation saying, “It’s an awkward sort of media day for me, but we’ve earned the right for it to be awkward… I’m OK with it.”
Schedule Overview:
Cup Series
- Friday: 50-minute practice, 5:30 p.m. ET (TruTv)
- Saturday: One-lap qualifying, 2:30 p.m. ET (TruTv)
- Sunday: Race with stages of 80, 85, and 102 laps; green flag at 3:13 p.m. ET (NBC), nine sets of tires
O’Reilly Series
- Friday: 50-minute practice, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN Unlimited)
- Saturday: One-lap qualifying, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN Unlimited)
- Saturday: Race stages of 45, 45, and 110 laps; green flag at 5:11 p.m. ET (CW), six sets of tires
Truck Series
- Thursday: 50-minute practice, 6:30 p.m. ET (NASCAR Channel)
- Friday: One-lap qualifying, 2:30 p.m. ET (FS2)
- Friday: Race stages of 30, 30, and 74 laps; green flag at 7:51 p.m. ET (FS1), five sets of tires
Championship Histories:
Among the contenders, only Kyle Larson has won prior championships, securing Cup titles in 2021 and 2025. In the O’Reilly series, Jesse Love won last year’s championship, and Justin Allgaier took the title in 2024. Neither of the truck finalists has captured a Truck Series championship yet.
Retirement Notes
No drivers across any of the series have announced retirements following the finale, which is unusual for a closing race of the season.
Additional Event Info
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell will give his State of the Sport address on Friday at 10 a.m. ET—the primary opportunity for the CEO to speak to the press in a formal setting since taking over the role in April 2026. While NASCAR hasn’t revealed all the dignitaries attending, Jai Lucas, head coach of University of Miami men’s basketball, will serve as an honorary official. The United States Air Force Band’s Singing Sergeants will perform the national anthem.
Awards Ceremony
The official NASCAR postseason awards event will take place Tuesday night at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.
Fan Take:
This championship weekend marks a return to tradition with Homestead serving as the stage for season finales while embracing a revamped playoff format that demands sharp strategy and point-calculation savvy. For fans, it’s a thrilling conclusion that showcases emerging talent and solidifies NASCAR’s competitive excitement heading into the future.
Source: www.foxsports.com
