Previewing NASCAR At Homestead-Miami Speedway In 2024

HOMESTEAD, FL – We’ve now reached that time of the racing season when NASCAR’s best drivers compete for a top playoff spot in the southernmost track in the US – Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The former Championship track of NASCAR prior to 2020, HMS has since hosted one of the three, Round of Eight races in the Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and Cup Series.

These races help determine the four drivers competing for the title for each series at the Phoenix Raceway in early November. These playoff races will likely be the last ones held at Homestead for a while, as next year’s race will take place in late March during the beginning of the NASCAR season.

Welcome back, @NASCAR 👋 pic.twitter.com/1MVLfrY9DU

— Homestead-Miami Speedway (@HomesteadMiami) October 25, 2024

Many racers have long favored Homestead-Miami Speedway for its uniqueness. The 1.5-mile oval circuit features 18- —to 20-inch banking in its four turns before returning to four-inch banking on the straights.

The fastest drivers tend to stick to the high-bankings around the corners and straights for top speed, though it’s high-risk due to potential collisions with the wall. Decisions regarding tires and mileage add up when the sun sets and the lights come on, drastically changing winds and temperatures on the track. One mistake can cause a massive parking lot of damaged cars, ruining playoff aspirations and raising blood pressure between teams.

Each race features unique storylines, with new drivers looking to compete for a championship against experienced veterans. All the while, there are some interesting tidbits to keep an eye on as the races progress.

The Baptist Health 200

The Saturday doubleheader begins with the Craftsman Truck Series with the Baptist Health 200. The green flag is waved at noon, kicking off a 134-lap, 201-mile contest in some of the fastest trucks around.

One driver to keep an eye on is Nick Sanchez. (#2 Chevrolet) The hometown hero from Miami looks to secure a playoff spot in the next round. Currently in seventh place, he’ll need a solid outing to take to Martinsville next week.

There's fast and then there's @CoreyHeim_.

He wins the #CometicGasket Pole for tomorrow's race at @HomesteadMiami. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/J0ozhZJWPk

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 25, 2024

Carson Hocevar, who won the Baptist Health 200 in 2023, has since moved to the Cup Series. Now, Corey Heim (#11 Toyota) leads the standings but is only a single point in front of Christian Eckes. (#19 Chevrolet)

Heim has won three races this year but looks to improve from a third-place finish in Homestead in 2023. Starting in first will likely help, as he clinched the pole position on Friday by having the fastest truck in qualifying.

While not relevant to tomorrow’s race, it’s worth noting that former “Malcolm In The Middle” star Frankie Muniz has announced that he will be racing in the Truck Series full-time in 2025.

The Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300

Moving on to the Xfinity Series, where their race will kick off at 4 pm on Saturday. This race should prove a bit longer with a 200-lap, 200-mile endurance test for the second-tier of NASCAR drivers.

The stock cars featured in this series have slightly less horsepower, a four-speed gearbox, no rear diffuser, and a five-lugnut system compared to the Cup Series. While the Toyota model in the Cup Series is a Camry, the one in the Xfinity Series is a Supra.

Racing around @HomesteadMiami is something else. 👀 pic.twitter.com/qE9Th9CyS4

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 25, 2024

That doesn’t make it any less competitive. Cole Custer (#00 Ford) is the reigning champion of the series. Currently just behind Justin Allgaier (#7 Chevrolet) in the standings, having another solid performance in Homestead is the ultimate goal for Custer.

Custer may have led 114 laps in 2023 at this track, but it was Sam Mayer (#1 Chevrolet) who led the last 46 laps and picked up the win. Currently in seventh place in the standings, going back-to-back in South Florida would do him a lot of good moving forward.

The Straight Talk Wireless 400

The NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead on Sunday at 2:30. The 400.5-mile, 267-lap gauntlet tends to produce some of the fiercest racing out of all three races in South Florida.

There was a moment when Joey Logano (#22 Ford) did not advance to the Round Of Eight. After a subpar performance at the Charlotte Roval two weeks ago, he was underneath the cutting line moving on to the next round.

It's that time of the year, race fans! 🚗

NASCAR is back at Homestead-Miami Speedway, starting today with Qualifying for tomorrow's set of races. 🌴#NASCARPlayoffs #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/n138ere0WT

— Jake Gibson (@JakeTheEmcee) October 25, 2024

However, the driver in front of him, Alex Bowman (#48 Chevrolet) was disqualified from the race following a postrace inspection of his car, which found that it failed to meet the minimum race requirement. Bowman was kicked out with a DNF finish, and Logano slipped in.

Logano quickly took advantage of the opportunity with a win the following week in Las Vegas to secure a spot in the Final Four. In other words, his performance in Homestead won’t matter for the two-time Cup Series champion.

Christoper Bell (#20 Toyota) looks to go back-to-back at Homestead after a dominating win in 2023. Currently the leader in the standings, Bell can punch a ticket if everything goes his way on Sunday.

A familiar face in the Playoffs every year, Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet) has had prior success at Homestead with a win in 2022, and a 2021 championship.

While out of the playoffs, Martin Truex Jr has announced that this season will be his last. A former winner and champion at Homestead, he will look to finish his final year on a positive note down in South Florida.