Get ready to witness the sizzling Championship weekend under the Arizona sun once again! Phoenix Raceway has been a staple on NASCAR’s top circuit since 1988, hosting the final race of the season in 2024. And breaking news reveals that Phoenix Raceway will continue to be the venue for NASCAR Championship Weekend across all three national series in 2025 for the sixth consecutive year, according to Cole Cusumano of the Arizona Republic. While both fans and NASCAR insiders may be feeling a bit fatigued with the racetrack as the perennial backdrop for the finale, there’s no denying the excitement and anticipation surrounding this prestigious event.
Phoenix Raceway took over as the host of the season finale in 2020, following an illustrious 18-year run by Homestead-Miami Speedway. This transition marked Phoenix as the shortest track to host NASCAR’s season-ending race since the Cup Series concluded the 1970 season at the .396-mile Langley Speedway in Virginia’s Tidewater area.
Insider Criticizes the Decision to Maintain the Final Weekend Race at the Same Track
Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey emphasized the unmatched enthusiasm of the fans when she stated, “Our fans are the heart and soul of Phoenix Raceway, and they create an unforgettable atmosphere for NASCAR Championship Weekend. They fill the grandstands and hillside and pack the GEICO Gecko Campground, which is nothing short of the best camping experience in all of NASCAR.” The buzz at Phoenix is further amplified by the new TV rights agreement with NBC Sports, set to air the NASCAR Cup Series season finale on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Phoenix Raceway has experienced six consecutive sellouts for NASCAR Cup Series races. With only a “limited number of tickets” left for the 2024 season finale scheduled for Nov. 8-10, the venue boasts significant upgrades, including a $178 million renovation completed before the fall 2018 race. The enhancements encompass new escalators and elevators, an additional 45,000 grandstand seats, 54 suites, a pedestrian tunnel, and a revamped infield featuring new garages, a media center, and a victory lane.
Following the reconfiguration of Phoenix Raceway’s layout, the start-finish line was moved to the former exit of Turn 2. This alteration, coupled with the wide apron in the dogleg before Turn 1, has sparked daring passing attempts, particularly during restarts. Additionally, the track’s evolution includes a shorter race distance (312 miles compared to the previous 400) and a stricter stance on unforced errors.
Each year at Phoenix Raceway, a new champion has emerged: Chase Elliott in 2020, Kyle Larson in 2021, Joey Logano in 2022, and Ryan Blaney in 2023. Despite this diversity, the track has not resonated with many fans, especially as the next-gen cars struggle to perform well on the short track. While NASCAR noted minor improvements to its short-track package in March 2024, NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall remains far from thrilled with the decision to host the championship at Phoenix once again.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Phoenix-Raceway.jpeg?width=150&blur=15)
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Phoenix Raceway
During a recent podcast on “Door Bumper Clear,” Crandall expressed her frustration with returning to Phoenix, stating, “I’m spot off for Phoenix. As the championship race, one year was enough. […] Every year, I just wait for us to hear what the finale is going to be, and it’s like a little part of me dies when they say Phoenix. It’s nothing against the facility or the people there; it’s the racing that just makes me want to gouge my eyes out.”
If you think she’s exaggerating, you might want to tune into the fan backlash over this decision.
Fans Express Disappointment Over the Decision to Host the Championship Finale at Phoenix Raceway Again
When Phoenix Raceway announced on Twitter that they would be hosting the 2025 championship race, the fan backlash surpassed expectations. One fan humorously commented, “Idk what’s lamer…this announcement or the racing at that track. Boom roasted,” while another suggested, “Rather finish the season at Homestead. Hell, let’s go back to the finale at Atlanta.”
Expressing disappointment, another fan recommended, “Save your money until NASCAR puts its Championship Race at a track that’s actually worthy of it, unless of course you enjoy 3 hours of boring racing with little to no action (then this is definitely the track for you 😂).” The sentiment that “NASCAR continues to not listen to fans” echoes loudly, reflecting the widespread frustration with the decision.
The ensuing fan frustration led to comments like “Snoozefest at a horrible track,” “Use me as a dislike button,” “Very disappointing… @NASCAR,” and “This is terrible leadership of NASCAR; the current leadership only knows how to screw things up.”
So, when was the last time you actually enjoyed a NASCAR final race at Phoenix or any other track? Share your thoughts with us!