NASCAR Xfinity - Homestead

The Hard Rock Bet 300 at Homestead Miami Speedway represents the season finale for the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2026. This race serves as the championship-deciding event where one driver from the Championship 4 will claim the series title. The event marks a significant return for Homestead as host of the NASCAR championship finale, a role the South Florida facility last held in 2019.

Event Overview

Homestead Miami Speedway hosts the Hard Rock Bet 300 as part of a championship weekend tripleheader that includes all three NASCAR national series. The NASCAR-XS race covers 300 miles over 200 laps on the 1.5-mile oval track. The race format divides into three stages: the first two stages run 45 laps each, while the final stage comprises 110 laps. The Championship 4 drivers, determined through the playoff rounds, will compete for the series title in this single race.

The 2026 season marks the first year under new title sponsorship from O'Reilly Auto Parts for the Xfinity Series. Jesse Love of Richard Childress Racing enters as the defending series champion from 2025, while Justin Allgaier won the most recent Xfinity Series race at Homestead.

Circuit Details

Homestead Miami Speedway sits in Homestead, Florida, as the southernmost racetrack in the continental United States. The facility spans 650 acres and features a distinctive Caribbean aesthetic with over one thousand palm trees and a color scheme of aqua, silver, and purple. An infield lake and an 18,000-square-foot, two-story media center serve the competitors and teams.

Track Specifications

The NASCAR-XS race uses the oval configuration at Homestead Miami Speedway. The track measures 1.500 miles (2.414 km) in length. The facility also contains a 2.3-mile road course with 11 turns, though the Xfinity Series uses only the oval layout. The asphalt surface features progressive banking that ranges from 18 to 20 degrees in the turns, while the straightaways have 4 degrees of banking. This progressive banking creates multiple racing grooves and allows drivers to run side-by-side through the corners.

The grandstands accommodate approximately 43,000 to 55,000 spectators. Permanent lighting installed in 2005 enables night racing at the venue.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Competition

The NASCAR-XS field features a mix of rising stars and experienced veterans. Three manufacturers compete in the series: Chevrolet fields the Camaro body style, Ford runs the Mustang, and Toyota campaigns the Supra. Each manufacturer builds teams around these American pony car designs while adhering to strict technical regulations.

Technical Specifications

NASCAR Xfinity Series cars use a 5,860 cc (358 cubic inch) naturally aspirated pushrod V8 engine. These engines produce between 650 and 700 horsepower in unrestricted form, or approximately 450 horsepower with restrictions. The powerplants generate around 700 N⋅m (520 ft⋅lb) of torque.

The Xfinity Series maintains carburetors for fuel delivery, which differs from Cup Series technology. Teams use Sunoco unleaded gasoline, an 85% blend with Sunoco Green Ethanol E15. The fuel cell holds 18 US gallons (68 liters). Cars weigh 3,200 pounds (1,451 kg) without the driver and approximately 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg) with the driver aboard.

The chassis shares its foundation with the NASCAR Cup Series Car of Tomorrow platform but uses a 110-inch (2,794 mm) wheelbase. A traditional H-pattern 4-speed manual transmission powers the rear wheels, which contrasts with the 5-speed sequential shifters in Cup Series competition. Xfinity cars roll on 15-inch steel wheels secured with five lug nuts, rather than the 18-inch aluminum wheels with single lug nuts found in the Cup Series. The traditional undercarriage lacks the rear diffusers present on Next Gen Cup Series cars, which affects downforce and grip characteristics.

Track History

Hurricane Andrew devastated the Homestead area in 1992. Community leaders broke ground on Homestead Miami Speedway on August 24, 1993, as part of rebuilding efforts. The facility opened on November 3, 1995.

The Jiffy Lube Miami 300, a NASCAR Busch Series race won by Dale Jarrett, served as the first event at the track on November 5, 1995. The NASCAR Xfinity Series, then known as the Busch Series, thus holds the distinction of christening the venue.

Track Evolution

The original track layout featured a rectangular design with low-banked corners similar to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This configuration created challenges for racing quality and safety. Track owners reconfigured the facility in 1997 into a more conventional oval shape. Additional modifications in 2003 introduced the current progressive banking system, which ranges from 18 to 20 degrees in the turns. These changes significantly improved the racing product.

From 2002 through 2019, Homestead Miami Speedway hosted the season finales for all three NASCAR national series as part of Ford Championship Weekend. The 2026 season brings championship racing back to the venue under a new rotating model that moves the finale among different marquee facilities and markets.

Regional Impact and Unique Features

The return of NASCAR Championship Weekend to Homestead Miami Speedway projects an economic impact of $350 million for the region. The facility's Caribbean-inspired design sets it apart from other motorsports venues. The vibrant color palette and abundant palm trees create a "South Beach flavor" that reflects the local culture.

Homestead Miami Speedway has crowned numerous champions across NASCAR's history. Active Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch (2015, 2019), Brad Keselowski (2012), and Joey Logano (2018) all secured their championships at this track. Tony Stewart won the inaugural Cup Series race at Homestead in 1999 and claimed all three of his Cup championships at the venue (2002, 2005, 2011). Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin share the record for most Cup Series victories at Homestead with three wins each.

Championship Format

The NASCAR-XS Championship 4 format brings four drivers to Homestead Miami Speedway with equal standing. The highest finisher among these four competitors claims the series championship, regardless of their positions throughout the season. This winner-take-all format creates intense competition during the Hard Rock Bet 300.

The progressive banking at Homestead allows multiple racing lines, which often produces close racing and strategic decisions about track position. Teams must balance speed with tire management over the 200-lap distance. The stage breaks provide opportunities for strategy adjustments, but the 110-lap final stage tests both driver skill and crew chief decisions.

The tripleheader championship weekend format brings fans three series finales at one venue. This concentration of championship racing showcases NASCAR's top talent across different competition levels at Homestead Miami Speedway.