NASCAR’s future is being shaped by someone with deep family ties to its past. Big changes are coming to the 2026 finale, backed by a bold investment and a clear vision for what championship weekend should feel like. It’s not just about racing, it’s about giving fans something unforgettable. And the person behind it is making sure the legacy roars louder than ever.
Before NASCAR became a national sport, Bill France Sr. was a mechanic with a bold vision. In 1947, he gathered racers at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach to form a proper stock car series, and by 1948, NASCAR officially launched. He built the sport from the ground up, laying tracks, setting rules, and shaping its future. Now, his great-grandson Ben Kennedy is carrying that legacy forward with fresh ideas for the next generation.
Kennedy’s vision includes reviving Homestead-Miami as the championship host, a nod to its thrilling history of title-deciding battles from 2002 to 2019. With plans to enhance fan experiences and track vibes, he’s promising a finale that captures NASCAR’s raw power. Yet the details of his multi-million dollar push reveal even bigger ambitions.
Ben Kennedy’s bold Homestead overhaul
On the “Stacking Pennies” podcast, Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s VP of Racing Development and France family heir, unveiled a multi-million dollar commitment to revamp Homestead-Miami Speedway for the 2026 Cup Series finale, shifting it from Phoenix to create a championship-worthy spectacle.
Ben Kennedy stressed the need for upgrades after years of wear, saying, “The facility has gotten a little bit tired over the past few years. So we’re working on plans to make improvements to everything from a fresh coat of paint everywhere, some new branding to enhancing a few areas of the fan experience, some hospitality areas.”
This promise stems from Homestead’s past glory, like the 2019 thriller where Kyle Busch clinched his second title, but Kennedy’s focus is on modernizing to match Miami’s November vibe, with perfect weather drawing massive crowds, as seen in pre-2020 attendances topping 60,000.
The investment, pegged in the millions for immediate fixes, aims to transform the infield and garages, opening spaces for better fan access and turning the venue into a true finale hub. Kennedy elaborated, “We’re working on plans to make improvements… we’re working on the infield as well. You think about the area between the cup and the O’Reilly garage. I think it’s a really good opportunity to enhance a fan experience and kind of open that up a little bit.”
Backed by a dedicated team collaborating with track president Guillermo Santa Cruz, this ties into NASCAR’s broader strategy of venue reinvestments, like the $50 million poured into Talladega in 2019, ensuring the 1.5-mile oval delivers edge-of-seat action with its high-banking turns that produced 15 different winners from 2002 to 2019.
Ultimately, Kennedy’s vow ensures fans arrive in November 2026 feeling the championship weight, with upgrades boosting hospitality and branding to rival top events. As he put it, the goal is for the industry to view Homestead as “a championship facility.”
This shift not only revives a fan favorite but could reshape playoff drama, rewarding consistent performers in a market that’s hosted icons like Jeff Gordon’s 2015 farewell race.
Chicagoland’s NASCAR comeback scoop
Ben Kennedy downplayed wild $4 million renovation rumors for Chicagoland Speedway, clarifying it’s in solid shape for its 2026 Cup return after a seven-year hiatus. On the “Stacking Pennies” podcast, he revealed, “Chicagoland’s like still in pretty good shape. The weather up there kind of preserves that.”
This counters speculation, focusing instead on minor tweaks to host an in-season challenge race, drawing from the track’s history of exciting finishes like Kevin Harvick’s 2001-2002 sweeps that boosted attendance to over 70,000.
Kennedy emphasized strategic investments over massive overhauls, noting Chicagoland’s natural preservation means no need for extravagant spending. “We’re working on plans to make improvements,” he said, aligning with NASCAR’s significant track upgrades, like Bristol’s $60 million repave in 2007.
The 1.5-mile tri-oval, idle since 2020 due to pandemic cuts, benefits from Chicago’s climate slowing deterioration, as confirmed by facility inspections.
This revelation excites fans eager for Midwest racing’s revival, with Kennedy hinting at enhanced fan zones without breaking the bank. If executed, it could mirror Fontana’s $50 million reconfiguration, prioritizing accessibility.
For now, his grounded approach keeps expectations realistic while building hype for a track that once drew stars like Tony Stewart to victory lane in 2004.