NASCAR in Miami: Schedule, Watch Info, Picks for Homestead Playoff Race

The best drivers in NASCAR are ready to test their skills in South Beach this weekend as they compete at Homestead-Miami Speedway, continuing their pursuit of the Championship 4 in the 2024 playoffs. Following Joey Logano’s victory in Las Vegas last week, seven drivers remain in the fight for the three coveted spots in the championship race. The Homestead-Miami Speedway, a challenging 1.5-mile oval, adds a unique dynamic to this contest. It’s been a year since drivers last tackled this track, making it a fresh test for many contenders as they push their limits in the Round of 8.

Race Schedule and Format Details

The 2024 Straight Talk Wireless 400, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 27, will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Before the main event, fans can catch Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions. For qualifying, the 38 drivers are divided into two groups. Each group will first have 20 minutes of practice, followed by a qualifying round where each driver gets one lap to set a time. The fastest five drivers from each group advance to the final round, where they compete for the top 10 starting positions. The remaining spots in the lineup, from 11th to 38th, are determined based on the first round’s times, with Group A filling even-numbered spots and Group B filling odd-numbered positions.

NBC’s Leigh Diffey, Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte will be covering the event, with additional insights from pit reporters Marty Snider, Kim Coon, and Dave Burns. Viewers can access the race through the NBC Sports app, beginning with Saturday’s practice at 9:05 a.m. ET.

Top Contenders and Track History

The Homestead-Miami Speedway is notoriously demanding, and historically, seasoned drivers with at least 19 career victories tend to come out on top. Over the years, a few emerging talents have also made a mark here, like William Byron and Christopher Bell. Kyle Larson, leading the field with 625 laps at Homestead, is a strong contender. Denny Hamlin, the winningest driver on this track with three victories, will look to capitalize on his experience. Other drivers to watch include Bell, last year’s Homestead victor, and Byron, the 2021 winner, both of whom have demonstrated consistency throughout the playoffs. Larson, Byron, and Bell are considered top threats for Sunday’s race, each showcasing strong performances during the playoffs and past Homestead events.

Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott are navigating the pressure of a points deficit. Reddick’s impressive three top-five finishes in four Homestead starts, Blaney’s strong runner-up finish last year, and Elliott’s reliable 10.4 average finish make them formidable underdogs as they aim to close the gap and advance.

Playoff Picture: The Battle for Championship Spots

With Logano already qualified, the Championship 4 lineup is down to three open spots. Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and William Byron are currently above the cut line, each positioned to advance with solid finishes. On the bubble are drivers like Hamlin, Reddick, Blaney, and Elliott, who face high stakes over the next two races at Homestead and Martinsville.

With only two more races left in this round, drivers in the bottom four risk elimination, making every point critical. As drivers put it all on the line in Miami’s high-stakes playoff showdown, NASCAR fans are in for a thrilling weekend.