SPEEDWAY, Ind. --NASCAR Chairman Brian France suggested that next year's Sprint Cup schedule will "have some pretty impactful changes ... that I think will be good for NASCAR fans.''

France would not reveal those changes but said they could be announced as soon as next week.

International Speedway Corp. has requested a second race for Kansas next year. It has not stated what race the second Kansas event would replace. Speedway Motorsports Inc. has not revealed what changes it seeks, although it's believed to have requested a date for Kentucky Speedway and a second date for Las Vegas.

As NASCAR works on the schedule, jockeying races around could cause as much as a quarter of the 36 points races to change spots on the schedule next season.

The Charlotte Observer, citing unidentified sources, reported that changes being contemplated include moving Homestead-Miami Speedway, site of the season finale, to the second race of the year behind the Daytona 500. That would keep the season's first two races in Florida instead of going from Florida to California in back-to-back weeks.

The Observer also reported that the season finale could be held at either Las Vegas or Daytona.

"It looks like there are going to be some really interesting, good changes for the schedule in terms of how fans get to the events and which events they'll attend,'' France said.

Bruton Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Speedway Motorsports, spent more than an hour in the NASCAR hauler before the race. Smith met with France.

Smith would not reveal details of the talks but has long fought to have the season end at Las Vegas.

"Our relationship has never ever been any better than it is now,'' said Smith, who has been combative with NASCAR in the past. "I like Brian, I like dealing with Brian.''

Strong day

Richard Childress Racing placed all three of its drivers in the top six Sunday with Kevin Harvick second, Clint Bowyer fourth and Jeff Burton sixth.

It was Harvick's season-high 14th top-10 finish of the season and his ninth top-five finish. Harvick credited the decision to change two tires on the last pit stop with getting him the track position to contend.

Said Burton: "We need to do better, but if that is going to be a bad day, that's good.''

Pit stop

France hinted at the possibility of some form of elimination during the Chase, possibly around the fifth race. Series officials are still debating what changes, if any, to make to next year's Chase.