NASCAR Cup - Homestead-Miami

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Homestead Miami Speedway for the Championship Race. This season-ending race brings the top four playoff drivers to Homestead, Florida, to compete for the series championship. The 400.5-mile race spans 267 laps around the 1.5-mile oval and marks the return of the championship race to Homestead-Miami after a six-year absence.

Race Format and Distance

The nascar-cup championship race at Homestead Miami Speedway features three stages. Stage 1 covers 80 laps, Stage 2 runs 85 laps, and the final stage extends to 102 laps. The total race distance of 400.5 miles challenges drivers and teams as they compete for the season title.

Track Characteristics

Homestead Miami Speedway offers a 1.5-mile asphalt oval with progressive banking between 18 and 20 degrees in the turns. The straightaways feature 3 degrees of banking. The racing surface measures 55 feet wide, providing multiple racing lines for drivers. The pit road extends 1,900 feet in length and 50 feet in width. This track configuration has produced close racing and dramatic finishes throughout its history.

Technical Specifications

The nascar-cup race at Homestead-Miami operates as a 670 horsepower event. NASCAR has implemented A-post flaps at every track, which deploy with roof flaps to reduce liftoff during spins. The surface underneath each A-post flap must be bright orange for visibility. These safety features enhance protection for all competitors.

Championship Competition

Four drivers enter Homestead Miami Speedway with a chance to claim the NASCAR Cup Series championship. The highest-finishing driver among these four contenders wins the season title. Past champions and top performers at this track include Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, who have demonstrated strong results at the Florida facility.

Track History

Homestead Miami Speedway opened in 1995 and hosted its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race in 1999. From 2002 to 2019, the track served as the season finale for the series. The facility is owned by the City of Homestead and operated by NASCAR. In May of the previous year, NASCAR announced that Homestead-Miami would host the Championship Weekend, implementing a rotating model for the championship race among different venues.

Notable Features

The track underwent reconfiguration in 2003, adding variable banking that creates multiple racing grooves. A state-of-the-art lighting system enables night racing at the facility. The infield contains a large lake that has hosted fishing tournaments. The track's colors reflect the Miami Beach district, connecting the speedway to the local region.

What to Expect

The championship race at Homestead-Miami promises intense competition as four drivers battle for the title. The track's multiple grooves allow for side-by-side racing and strategic passing opportunities. Teams must balance speed with tire management over the long race distance. The facility is expected to receive improvements before the race, including fresh paint and upgraded hospitality suites.

Fans and teams have anticipated the return of championship racing to Homestead Miami Speedway. The 1.5-mile oval has crowned numerous champions in NASCAR's premier series. The combination of track characteristics, championship stakes, and racing history makes this nascar-cup event a compelling season finale for the sport.