Kevin Harvick reacts to NASCAR announcing rotation of Championship finale, takes victory lap

Earlier this month, NASCAR officially announced they’re rotating the championship-deciding race each season in an exciting revelation. That has Kevin Harvick and his Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour crew excited, and taking a bit of a victory lap.

Tracks like Phoenix Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway came to mind, there are some other contenders that could be in the mix. Harvick is just elated that the finale will feature a different track moving forward, thinking it could lead to some incredible moments.

“I’ve been beating this drum for a while, probably seven or eight years,” Harvick stated. “… I think that going back to Homestead is something that the industry likes. I think, being able to know that this championship race is going to be a rotation, it’s natural that it goes to Homestead and Phoenix. My list would be Charlotte, Las Vegas, to add to that list of a rotation.

“I think that Charlotte being in that mix, with our industry being here, would be a big moment for the sport. I don’t think there’s any question that the weather would be just fine. Last week of October, first week of November. It’s a great time to be in North Carolina.

“… I think (rotating the championship is) good for the sport. I think, when you talk about the enthusiasm that came around with switching it back to Homestead, you see the type of intrigue that people have as to where this race is going to be. I can’t wait to see where (the championship in) ‘27 is going to be.”

Meanwhile, Harvick’s co-host in Mamba Smith is in the same boat as the former Cup Series champion. While many are focused on the championship-deciding race, he believes the journey to get there will only be improved by switching things up.

“This is the type of stuff that should make fans excited,” Smith added. “We aren’t afraid to be on a rotation. So like, who knows what it’s going to turn into. Hopefully, it’s going to be great. But now, everyone thinks that Penske has this choke hold over Phoenix, which they have, in the fall race. But I don’t think (their chances are) going to change when you go to Homestead, because Ryan Blaney has been right in the mix at Homestead too.

“I think everyone automatically thinks, ‘Oh Kyle Larson’s just going to win. [Christopher] Bell’s just going to win.’ You’ve still got to get there. You’ve still got to do all the things until you get (to the championship race). So, it’s going to be amazing.

“Homestead-Miami Speedway, they’ve done a great job. They need this. It needs a facelift. Some new color could go a long way. But it’s going to be great. Vegas, and I would keep Phoenix in the rotation, as well. Charlotte would work. I would love Darlington. It’s interesting. I don’t know if we can, if the infrastructure of the town could handle (championship weekend), but the race would be really, really good.

“Then you start running into like, weather-type problems pretty quickly. So, I think it’s probably four, and I think that’s it. It has to stay standard NASCAR (tracks).”

All told, the rotation will begin with Phoenix Raceway this season, and Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2026, but after that is anyone’s guess. Kevin Harvick and his podcast crew are along for the ride, and enjoying every bit of NASCAR’s latest change to their schedule.