NASCAR's Championship 4 Going Back to Homestead
A report from The Athletic shows NASCAR returning to the longtime title race host in 2026 as part of a new rotation of championship venues.
The Morning Warmup
April 23, 2025
Hey there, race fans!
First off, an apology. My wife had a difficult Sunday and needed my attention. I had to choose between being a good husband and good writer. I’ll choose husband every time.
That’s why no newsletter went out on Monday. I just ran out of time/energy to make it happen after supporting her. But I’ve got a full newsletter to help you get caught up on what you missed this morning.
Let’s dive in.
Today’s Top Stories
1) NASCAR reportedly returning title race to Homestead in 2026 (NASCAR Cup)
The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi reported Monday that Homestead is expected to host the NASCAR title race weekend next year, bringing the title deciders back to the 1.5-mile oval for the first time in the 2020s after six years of championship races at Phoenix Raceway.
Homestead was the championship track of choice in NASCAR’s boom period, hosting the finale from 2002 through 2019. Phoenix took over the title race in 2020 and has held it since, but has been met with mixed reviews as many competitors and fans called for the sport to return to Homestead.
But while Homestead is getting another crack at the championship weekend, it doesn’t appear poised to keep it outright. Bianchi reported that a different track will be chosen in 2027, kicking off a rotation with different venues chosen each year. Phoenix should be part of that rotation and continue to host two races per year.
(Source(s): Jordan Bianchi / The Athletic)
2) Kurt Busch, Randy LaJoie added to NASCAR Hall of Fame ballots (NASCAR)
For the first time in their illustrious careers, Kurt Busch and Randy LaJoie are candidates for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The former NASCAR champions were added to the field of 10 Modern Era nominees when the sanctioning body released its nominees on Monday. Voters will meet on May 20 to select two Modern Era nominees, one Pioneer Era selectee and a winner of the sport’s Landmark Award for significant contributions to NASCAR.
Busch is a Daytona 500 champion, Coca-Cola 600 winner and the most recent driver to successfully attempt The Double in 2014, with Kyle Larson failing to race in Charlotte last year. The elder brother of fellow Cup star Kyle Busch secured 34 race wins for a multitude of manufacturers. But the Nevadan’s most iconic moments were a championship and a loss.
In 2004, Busch famously secured the first-ever Cup Series title in NASCAR’s first postseason format - the Chase. He overcame a lost wheel in the Homestead-Miami Speedway finale to best Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon for the title. He also played the runner-up role in one of NASCAR’s all-time great finishes, losing a car-crashing nail biter to Ricky Craven at Darlington Raceway in 2003.
LaJoie never enjoyed the success in Cup. But the Connecticut native was among the best drivers in Busch Series history, earning consecutive titles in 1996 and 1997. He also secured 15 series victories and a 1985 title in the former NASCAR North Tour. Beyond the cockpit, LaJoie has been a proponent for safety improvements in grassroots racing, particularly in the seat with his company, The Joie of Seating.
Other Modern Era contenders include Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde and Jack Sprague.
Legendary crew chief Jake Elder returned to the Pioneer Ballet, joining fellow contenders Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Larry Phillips and Bob Welborn. Landmark Award contenders include Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter and Humpy Wheeler.
(Source(s): Kelly Crandall / RACER)
Race Recaps
NASCAR
Xfinity Series: It was a crash-filled return for the Xfinity Series at Rockingham Raceway, but the biggest shift came after the conclusion of the race. Jesse Love took the checkered flag first in the historic venue’s return, but after he was disqualified, JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith inherited a big win to accompany his Dash 4 Cash triumph. (Reid Spencer / NASCAR.com)
Naturally, Richard Childress Racing plans to appeal the disqualification for Love.
Craftsman Truck Series: It had been 130 races since Tyler Ankrum’s last victory in the Truck Series. But with some timely cautions and a brilliant fuel save, Ankrum snatched a victory over Jake Garcia at Rockingham Speedway.
ARCA Menards Series East: It was all Brent Crews at Rockingham Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing star scored pole and dominated Saturday’s race. (Adam Fenwick / NASCAR.com)
Notes from The Rock:
NASCAR hit a winner with its Rockingham return. But the sanctioning body must be careful with the next steps. (Bob Pockrass / FOX Sports)
Drivers themselves offered high praise for Rockingham’s return, with hopes for it to remain on the schedule. (Reid Spencer / NASCAR.com)
The joy of the weekend was seeing the return of fan-favorite Kasey Kahne. The Washington native enjoyed his one-off outing in the Xfinity Series and could possibly return in the future.
Kahne’s day was sent in the wrong direction by a crash involving Katherine Legge, who spoke up against the worst of the hate she’s received on her podcast. (Nick DeGroot / Motorsport)
After another rough weekend, Frankie Muniz admits he’s hit “a new low.” (Nick DeGroot / Motorsport)
F1
Formula 1: The championship has a new frontrunner. With teammate Lando Norris set back by a qualifying crash, Oscar Piastri got the jump on polesitter Max Verstappen and capitalized on a five-second penalty for Verstappen cutting Turn 2 to take the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix win and the points lead. (F1.com)
Formula 2:
Arvid Lindblad became the youngest winner in series history during Saturday’s Sprint, inheriting the victory after provisional winner Richard Verschoor was given a five-second penalty for forcing a driver off the track. (FIAFormula2.com)
Verschoor got the last laugh on the weekend, though, putting together a mammoth stint on an alternative strategy and chasing pole-sitter Jak Crawford down with better tires to claim the feature with a last-lap pass. (FIAFormula2.com)
Takeaways from Saudi Arabia:
Verstappen was understandably frustrated after the penalty kept him from a potential win. He chose his words wisely to the media afterward. (Andrew Benson / BBC)
His controversy showcased a penalty rule that could use a change. (The Race)
With Verstappen and Norris stumbling, Piastri’s cool calmness and mettle shone through. (Luke Smith / The Athletic)
Mercedes’ cars cooked their tires in Saudi Arabia. The issue was puzzling for the fading George Russell in the closing laps. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Ferrari scored its first podium of the season in Jeddah - a result that hints at the program’s untapped potential. (Madeline Coleman / The Athletic)
Lewis Hamilton’s frustrations are evident as he struggles through the start of his Ferrari tenure. (Valentin Khorounzhiy & Samarth Kanal / The Race)
Sports Cars
FIA World Endurance Championship: In a strategy-focused battle, AF Corse’s Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado prevailed for a 6 Hours of Imola triumph. (John Dagys / Sportscar365)
Dirt
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars:
Rain ruined the opening night festivities for the Outlaws’ first weekend of 2025 at Knoxville Raceway. (Alex Nieten / WorldofOutlaws.com)
The weather fared better on the second day. though. In an eventful race on an ideal track, Rico Abreu fended off Kyle Larson to pick up a victory. (Alex Nieten / WorldofOutlaws.com)
Short Tracks
USAC Silver Crown Series: Making his 100th tries start, Justin Grant led all 100 laps for a dominant series victory at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway. (Richie Murray / USACRacing.com)
Hayes Jewelers 200: In Bowman Gray Stadium’s big opening event, Burt Myers dominated but Brandon Ward moved him when it counted for the victory. (Matt Weaver / Short Track Scene)
Northeast Classic: Derek Griffith came to play spoiler at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, denying Eddie MacDonald a three-peat after surging forward on the race’s only restart. (Jeff Brown / Short Track Scene)
Sim Racing
DTM Esports: In the fifth and sixth races of the 2025 season, Falken Esports’ Tim Marshal and Lucas Muller proved dominant to take home victories. (Ewan O’Leary / Traxion)
Other
Super Formula: It was all Dandelion Racing again at Twin Ring Motegi. Dandelion Racing swept the top of the field, with Kakunoshin Ohta taking top honors. (Jamie Klein / Motorsport)
News and Notes
NASCAR
In a huge story for the ARCA Menards Series, stalwart program Venturini Motorsports announced a sale to Nitro Motorsports on Friday. (FloRacing)
Jesse Iwuji is set for a surprise NASCAR return this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. (Nick DeGroot / Motorsport)
Prime Video’s documentary on NASCAR’s 2023 run at Le Mans is set to be released on June 12. (NASCAR.com)
There have been a few surprises early in the NASCAR season, including Spire Motorsports and its best start to date. (Nate Ryan / Associated Press)
With FOX Sports’ broadcasting tenure nearing its close, The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi caught up with Kevin Harvick to discuss his TV performances and more.
The only champs in the Next Gen era, Team Penske rolls into Talladega this weekend in search of its first Cup win in 2025. (Dustin Long / NBC Sports)
Marco Andretti has come to Katherine Legge’s defense amid the recent run of hate levied her way by NASCAR fans. (Nick DeGroot / Motorsport)
IndyCar
FOX Sports has confirmed the details for its first run at the takeover of the 100 Days to Indy docuseries. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
With IndyCar set to enter its stretch run, FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass looked as six key questions for Indy and beyond.
Romain Grosjean isn’t present on the IndyCar grid right now, but the French ace isn’t giving up on a return just yet. (Jack Benyon / The Race)
F1
No major silly season switches are expected. But could Max Verstappen or George Russell set off a shock to the market? (Jon Noble & Scott Mitchell-Malm / The Race)
Oscar Piastri is on a roll. How long can he keep this pace up? (Edd Straw / RACER)
There was a time when triple headers were seen as the bane of the F1 calendar. ow they’re a constant. How did we get this far? (Ben Vinel / Motorsport)
Supercars
With the cyclone through, the delayed Supercars shipments have left New Zealand. (Stefan Bartholomaeus / Speedcafe)
Sports Cars
Porsche Motorsport North America released its trio of drivers for the 2025 Selected Driver program on Tuesday. (R.J. O’Connell / RACER)
Walkenhorst Motorsport has rolled out the driver lineup for its run at the Nurburgring 24 Hours in June. (Daily Sportscar)
Dirt
A new nine-event creation is coming to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. The Coltman Farms Racing Cup will award points to all feature drivers and award the winner a trophy and $7,500. (WorldofOutlaws.com)
Short Tracks
Things are getting messy at Cordele Motor Speedway:
Outgoing track general manager Ricky Brooks and his staff were escorted off the premises on Brooks’ final day of work. (Matt Weaver / Short Track Scene)
Moving forward, UARA is seeking to replace the Super Fest races it was planning while the track intends to host the next planned Super Fest race without UARA sanctioning. (Matt Weaver / Short Track Scene)
Cup Series veteran Ryan Newman will make his CARS Tour debut this weekend at Orange County Speedway. (Short Track Scene)
Moto
Terrible news: Jerry Robin had to have his T3-T9 vertebrae fused after a qualifying crash for the Monster Energy Supercross round at MetLife Stadium. (Dan Beaver / NBC Sports)
Drag Racing
The NHRA Member Track Network has added a dozen new tracks, from Canada through Texas. (Drag Illustrated)
Rally
The standoff between the FIA and World Rally Championship drivers has cooled slightly. Drivers plan to bring back stage-end interviews at Rally Islas Canarias. (Tom Howard / Motorsport)
Electric Racing
Mahindra used the introduction of Formula E’s GEN3 Ebo regulations as a reset. So far, it’s delivering the Formula E stalwart some gains. (Dominik Wilde / RACER)
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On Track
All Times ET
Prepare yourself for jokes about milk, The Double and a window over Terre Haute. IndyCar will host its two early days of open testing for the Indianapolis 500 over the next couple days.
Pull up YouTube, throw on the stream in the background and enjoy one of racing’s all-time great car-track combinations while you work through your weekday.
Wednesday, April 23
IndyCar
Indianapolis 500 Open Test Day 1 (Indianapolis Motor Speedway): 9:50 a.m., IndyCar on YouTube
Dirt
Season Opener (Fonda Speedway): 5:00 p.m., FloRacing
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Thursday, April 24
IndyCar
Indianapolis 500 Open Test Day 1 (Indianapolis Motor Speedway): 9:20 a.m., IndyCar on YouTube
Number of the Day: 5
Kurt Busch needed a fifth-place finish to hold on to his narrow advantage for the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That mark wasn’t bested by a title winner until Jimmie Johnson’s runner-up run in the 2010 finale. Tony Stewart then needed a win for the 2011 title - a mark that would be repeated in all six years of Homestead hosting the Championship 4 in the current elimination playoff era.