Cup Series drivers weigh in on current Round of 8 schedule

HOMESTEAD, Fla- With the release of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, possibly the biggest shocker of them all was Homestead-Miami Speedway getting bumped from the Round of 8 for next season’s playoffs in exchange for Talladega Superspeedway. 

The decision by NASCAR has left fans puzzled, as Homestead won’t even be a part of next season’s playoffs at all, with the race being moved to March instead. Many fans argue that this further puts the integrity of the playoffs in question given the wild card nature of Talladega. 

The current Round of 8 consisting of Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, and Martinsville provides three tracks that tend to see the best Cup Series drivers running at the front more consistently than other tracks on the schedule. Even Phoenix, with the many gripes fans have with it being the Championship track, tends to bring the best of the best to the front to compete for wins. 

When asked about it Saturday morning at Homestead, Ryan Blaney agreed. 

“I think the last four races of the year the best teams kinda rise up,” Blaney said. “You kinda have more traditional racetracks, especially this round then Phoenix and you get the best of the best which is how it should be, and yeah I wish this place was in the playoffs next year, it’s unfortunate it’s not cause I think it puts on a great show and it’s a tough track to run well at.” 

William Byron shared a similar sentiment, even offering his own version of the Round of 8 that he might like to see implemented down the line. 

“Yeah it’s just the time of year,” Byron said. “It doesn’t matter where we’d be racing, outside of superspeedways, it would be the best guys up front. If you’re gonna pick tracks, I liked what Harvick said about the Vegas, Phoenix and Homestead cycle, that would be awesome to see those tracks because I do feel like those tracks are the most legit that we have and where the best teams run well.” 

Byron’s teammate, Chase Elliott, hasn’t gotten that far yet, trying to remain present in the current moment. 

“I don’t care, I’m totally good with whatever,” Elliott said. “I have not sat down and looked at the schedule for next year. I’m more of a this year kind of guy and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

The Straight Talk Wireless 400 is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET.