Brad Keselowski throws his hat in the ring for championship finale locations after NASCAR COO's public statement

RFK Racing co-owner/driver Brad Keselowski has shared his thoughts on potential venues for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in the coming seasons. This comes after NASCAR’s chief operating officer, Steve O’Donnell, recently publicly discussed the possibility of rotating the season finale venue among different tracks beyond Phoenix Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway in the future.

NASCAR owns the Phoenix Raceway, the track that has been hosting the season-ending championship event since 2020. As the 2025 NASCAR schedule is already out, a 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval racetrack is again hosting the championship finale next season.

Brad Keselowski, who has been vocal about various aspects of the sport's structure in the past, named two tracks he would like to see the championship race go. He wants the championship 4 event to be held at either Darlington Raceway or Charlotte Motor Speedway in the 2026 season.

Responding to Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern and NASCAR COO's public statement about rotating championship race on X, here’s what Keselowski wrote:

“Been thinking about this one for awhile. I really like both @TooToughToTame or @CLTMotorSpdwy as a season finale. What do you all think? I’d do a poll but not sure hot to anymore…”

There has been a lot of discussion going on in recent times about the NASCAR playoff format and championship race location. The new venue will definitely enhance fan engagement and might bring fresh dynamics to the sport.

On the championship race-rotating idea, here’s what NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell said:

“There's a lot of factors that go into if we do rotate the championship, one of which is the competition on track. And so we've got to look at where we could race, what facilities are capable of hosting a championship. Those discussions are ongoing. I would not limit something just to Miami if we were to rotate it.”

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Brad Keselowski reflects on his 2024 NASCAR season

The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion finished the 2024 season in 13th place in the Cup Series points standings, tallying one win, nine top-5s, 14 top-10s, and led a total of 318 laps with an average finish of 15.6 in 36 races.

It was a much better season for Brad Keselowski as he won his first race since Talladega’s spring race in 2021. His playoff run ended after being eliminated following the Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol.

Reflecting on his 2024 campaign, Keselowski said (via NASCAR.com):

“The 6 team had a strong middle part of the season and faded come playoff time. I learned a lot this year and we will come back smarter and recharged. I’m not looking back wondering what would’ve been if I stayed at Team Penske. Success as a driver-owner, even if less as of today, means so much more to me.”

Catch Brad Keselowski in action at the season-opener Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in 2025.