Home Blog Page 9

NASCAR at Homestead-Miami Speedway Weekend Schedule

By
SM Staff
-

The NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series head to Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend for the season-ending races of 2026. The Craftsman Truck Series kicks off the weekend with the Championship Race on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. On Saturday, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race begins at 5:00 p.m. ET on the CW Network. Then the Cup Series wraps up the weekend on Sunday with the Championship Race at 3:00 p.m. ET on NBC.

NASCAR Cup Series Notes for Homestead-Miami Speedway:

This weekend marks the 28th Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and it’s the 19th time the track has hosted the Cup season finale.

Kyle Larson is the 2026 Cup Champion by earning 9 points at Miami, regardless of what any other driver does. Heading into Homestead-Miami Speedway, Christopher Bell (-67) and Denny Hamlin (-70) are the only other drivers still eligible for the Championship. This will be the eighth time Denny Hamlin entered the season finale with a chance to win the Championship.

Clinching Scenarios:

  • Larson clinches with 8 stage points
  • Larson clinches by finishing 28th or better without any stage points
  • Larson clinches by finishing third or better in stage one
  • Bell and Hamlin both must win to score enough points to have a chance
  • Bell must score at least 13 stage points to stay alive
  • Bell must finish 8th or better in stage one
  • Hamlin must score at least 16 stage points to stay alive
  • Hamlin must finish 5th or better in stage one

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Notes for Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Heading into Homestead-Miami Speedway, the drivers in 1st-5th, which are Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love (-22), Corey Day (-23), Carson Kvapil (-31), and Sheldon Creed (-42), are still eligible to win the championship. Corey Day is the only Chase driver averaging more than 45 points per race and has the best average finish in the Chase at 6.9.

Clinching Scenarios:

  • Justin Allgaier can clinch with 54 points
  • Jesse Love can clinch with 76 points
  • Corey Day can clinch with 76 points
  • Both Carson Kvapil and Sheldon Creed will need help

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Notes for Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Heading into Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kaden Honeycutt and Layne Riggs are the only two drivers mathematically eligible for the Championship. After Martinsville, Riggs gained 23 points on Honeycutt, cutting Honeycutt’s points lead down to 20 points.

Clinching Scenarios:

  • Honeycutt would lock up the Championship by scoring 57 or more points
  • Riggs would lock up the Championship by scoring 75 points

The Weekend Schedule for Homestead-Miami Speedway:

RELATED: The Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway Outlook and Picks

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

6:30 PM – 7:20 PM: NCTS PRACTICE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: NCTS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
4:00 PM – 4:50 PM: NOAPS PRACTICE
5:30 PM – 6:20 PM: NCS PRACTICE
7:10 PM: NCTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
7:30 PM: NCTS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE (STAGES 30/60/134 LAPS = 201 MILES) ON FS1

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: NOAPS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND) TRACK HOT
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: NCS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
4:25 PM: NOAPS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
5:00 PM: NOAPS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE (STAGES 45/90/200 LAPS = 300 MILES) ON THE CW NETWORK

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

2:15 PM: NCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
3:00 PM: NCS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE (STAGES 80/165/267 LAPS = 400.5 MILES) ON NBC

Planning the Perfect NASCAR Race Weekend With Friends and Family

By
SM
-

Attending a NASCAR race is about much more than watching cars compete at incredible speeds. The excitement begins long before the green flag drops, with fans gathering around the track, exploring entertainment areas, and enjoying traditions that make race weekends memorable.

For families and groups of friends, a NASCAR event provides an opportunity to combine motorsport with travel, outdoor activities, and shared experiences. However, planning ahead can make the difference between a stressful outing and an enjoyable weekend.

Choosing the right race, organizing transportation, preparing for changing weather, and arranging suitable activities are all important considerations. Some visitors prefer spending the entire weekend at the track, while others combine the race with nearby attractions.

With thoughtful preparation, a NASCAR weekend can become an annual tradition that brings people together through exciting competition and memorable moments.

Creating the Perfect Atmosphere for Race Weekend Gatherings

For many NASCAR enthusiasts, the experience begins with spending time together before arriving at the speedway. Backyard gatherings, shared meals, and conversations about favorite drivers can help build excitement ahead of the main event.

For many NASCAR enthusiasts, the excitement of race weekend begins with gathering friends and family before the main event. Backyard celebrations provide opportunities to discuss favorite drivers, share race predictions, and enjoy familiar traditions. Homeowners interested in creating an attractive outdoor entertainment area can explore fire features from https://royalfirepits.com/, which can become an inviting centerpiece for conversations and evening gatherings. Combined with comfortable seating, outdoor lighting, and refreshments, these features help create a welcoming atmosphere where racing fans can enjoy spending time together.

Comfortable seating, suitable lighting, and a practical cooking area can make these gatherings more enjoyable. A television positioned for outdoor viewing may also allow everyone to follow qualifying sessions or other racing coverage.

The objective is to make the occasion feel welcoming without turning preparations into an expensive project.

These informal gatherings can become cherished traditions, especially for families who attend races together every season.

Organizing Memorable Celebrations Around the Race

A NASCAR weekend often feels like a special occasion, particularly when it coincides with a birthday, family reunion, or group vacation. Planning a celebration around the event can make the experience even more memorable.

Decorations featuring favorite racing colors, themed desserts, and friendly prediction contests are simple ways to create excitement. Some fans also organize separate celebrations after returning home.

A NASCAR weekend can also inspire memorable celebrations that extend beyond the time spent at the speedway. Fans organizing a separate private gathering may enjoy creating a festive atmosphere with racing-themed decorations, music, and exciting visual entertainment. Those looking to buy fireworks online in the USA can explore a selection of fireworks products for appropriately planned celebrations where their use is permitted. Colorful displays can provide an impressive finishing touch to a special occasion, helping friends and family celebrate their shared enthusiasm for motorsport in a memorable way.

Often, simpler activities work equally well. Sharing race photographs, discussing unexpected results, and enjoying a meal together can provide plenty of entertainment.

The most successful celebrations focus on the shared experience rather than elaborate arrangements.

Choosing the Right NASCAR Race and Seating Location

Not every NASCAR venue offers the same experience. Some tracks are known for high-speed competition, while shorter circuits provide close racing and frequent position changes.

Families attending their first event should consider travel distance, ticket prices, seating options, and available facilities before choosing a race.

Grandstand views can differ considerably depending on the circuit layout. Higher seats may provide a broader perspective, while areas closer to the track can emphasize the speed and sound of passing cars.

Shade and access to amenities are also worth considering, particularly during warmer months.

Ticket packages sometimes include additional experiences, although availability varies between events.

Reviewing the speedway’s official information before purchasing tickets can help visitors choose an arrangement suited to their expectations.

A well-chosen location allows everyone to enjoy the race without unnecessary discomfort.

Preparing for a Full Day at the Speedway

Race days often involve considerable walking, changing weather conditions, and long periods outdoors. Comfortable clothing and practical preparation are therefore essential.

Visitors should check the venue’s policies regarding bags, food, beverages, and permitted personal items before leaving their accommodation.

Hearing protection is particularly important because NASCAR vehicles produce extremely loud noise. Suitable ear protection can make the experience more comfortable for adults and children.

Sun protection, weather-appropriate clothing, and comfortable footwear are also valuable.

Arriving early provides opportunities to explore fan areas and locate seating without rushing through crowded entrances.

Families traveling with younger children may benefit from identifying restrooms and quieter areas in advance.

A little preparation allows visitors to spend less time solving practical problems and more time enjoying the atmosphere.

Exploring Fan Activities Beyond the Main Race

One of the biggest attractions of NASCAR weekends is the variety of activities surrounding the competition. Many events feature merchandise areas, sponsor exhibits, interactive displays, and opportunities to learn more about the sport.

These attractions can be particularly enjoyable for visitors who are attending their first race.

Depending on the event, fans may also have opportunities to watch supporting competitions or explore designated entertainment zones.

Children often enjoy discovering racing merchandise and learning about the different teams and drivers.

However, schedules vary, so checking official event information helps visitors avoid missing activities they particularly want to experience.

Balancing organized attractions with occasional breaks keeps the weekend enjoyable for everyone.

The additional entertainment helps turn a single sporting event into a broader family experience.

Making Race Weekend a Tradition Worth Repeating

A successful NASCAR weekend does not necessarily require expensive tickets, elaborate accommodations, or a packed schedule. What matters most is creating an experience that everyone can enjoy together.

Families may establish traditions around visiting particular tracks, wearing favorite team colors, or choosing a restaurant after the race.

Friends might organize prediction contests or compare photographs from different racing seasons.

Allowing time for spontaneous activities also helps prevent the weekend from feeling overly structured.

After returning home, sharing favorite moments can keep the excitement alive and inspire plans for future events.

Ultimately, NASCAR offers a distinctive combination of sporting competition, atmosphere, and community. With thoughtful planning, a race weekend becomes more than an opportunity to watch talented drivers compete.

It becomes a shared adventure filled with anticipation, excitement, and lasting memories that friends and family can revisit for years.

Tested, Debated, Selected: How the Tigé Ultré ZX Earned Boat of the Year

By
SM
-

After testing approximately 100 boats, extensive on-water evaluations, and months of editorial deliberation, Boating Magazine selected the Tigé Ultré ZX as its 2025 Watersports Boat of the Year.

In an industry where nearly every manufacturer claims to build the best boat on the water, recognition from an independent publication carries a different kind of significance, especially when that recognition follows a year of testing, comparison, and editorial debate.

The watersports category brings together some of the most performance-driven boats on the market, from surf boats and wake boats built around watersports performance to premium models that combine quality, technology, comfort, and versatility. Finding the boats that truly stand out requires more than comparing specifications. It requires putting them on the water and seeing how they perform in the conditions and situations they were designed to handle.

That is the foundation of Boating Magazine’s annual Boat of the Year program. Throughout the year, the publication tests about 100 boats and identifies those that stand out in their respective categories. The contenders remain subject to ongoing discussion and evaluation, with the final selections reflecting the publication’s collective testing experience and editorial deliberation.

For the Ultré ZX, that process meant competing against some of the industry’s best surf and wake boats and demonstrating its strengths in performance, technology, design, and the overall on-board experience. After that testing and deliberation, Boating Magazine named the Tigé Ultré ZX its 2025 Watersports Boat of the Year.

It was a distinction earned on the water, not simply one claimed in a brochure.

Ultré ZX Wake and Surf Performance

For a dedicated watersports boat, performance is the foundation. The Ultré ZX delivered on that expectation through a combination of substantial ballast, hull design, and integrated surf technology.

In his review of the 2025 Ultré 23ZX, Boating Magazine’s Garrett Cortese highlighted the boat’s 7,400-pound dry weight, 4,000 pounds of internal ballast, and TAPS 3T system as key contributors to its on-water performance.

The resulting wakes and waves were described as clean, crisp, and adaptable to riders of varying skill levels. Rather than requiring complicated adjustments, the boat allows riders to modify the experience through its intuitive touchscreen controls.

The GO System brings wakeboarding, wakesurfing, foiling, and skiing settings together in one interface. Riders select their discipline and skill level, and the system configures the boat accordingly, while still allowing adjustments when desired.

Luxury Wake Boat Features Designed Around the Experience

While the Ultré ZX’s performance established its credentials as a watersports boat, the review also identified a series of design decisions that distinguish it from other premium offerings.

The UltréLounge brings together several of these innovations, including the FastFlip Co-Captain’s Chair, UltréChill electric cooler, and dedicated touchscreen controls.

The FastFlip chair converts between forward- and aft-facing positions, allowing the passenger experience to change with the activity. The integrated electric cooler provides convenient access to refreshments while doubling as a footrest, with additional storage incorporated beneath the seating.

Other details reveal the same attention to how people actually use a boat. A hidden table slides out from beneath the walk-through, the aft bench converts into rear-facing seating, and the dual-facing transom seats allow passengers to face either the cockpit or the water.

These are not features designed simply to make a specification sheet longer. They address the practical moments that shape a day on the water, from entertaining a full crew to relaxing between surf sets.

Inside the Ultré ZX: Luxury, Comfort and Functionality

The Ultré ZX’s interior received particular attention in Cortese’s review.

Premium upholstery, signature stitching, soft-touch flooring, and carefully positioned bolsters contribute to the boat’s upscale feel. The deep cockpit and high gunwales provide a sense of security while cruising, while the wraparound seating creates a comfortable environment for passengers.

The bow continues that emphasis on space and functionality, with configurable seating, a padded walk-through, and dedicated anchor storage.

At the stern, a large surf locker accommodates boards and watersports equipment, while the powered platform’s optional integrated step makes entering and exiting the water more comfortable.

With seating for up to 16 people aboard the Ultré 23ZX and 18 people in the Ultré 25ZX, the layout reflects an understanding that a watersports boat must serve more than the person behind the wheel or the rider behind the boat.

It must work for everyone aboard.

What Sets the Ultré ZX Apart From Other Premium Wake Boats

One of the more revealing observations in Cortese’s review was his comparison of the Ultré 23ZX with other premium-class boats. The Ultré ZX stands out against its competition not simply because of the number of features it offers, but because of how those features work together to improve the experience on the water.

That distinction is central to understanding the Boat of the Year recognition.

A boat can have an impressive feature list. It can make a strong first impression at a boat show. But the purpose of an independent on-water evaluation is to determine how those features translate into the ownership and operating experience.

For the Ultré ZX, the review tested that combination across multiple dimensions, including surf performance, ease of operation, interior comfort, storage, passenger functionality, and thoughtful innovation. The Ultré performed exceptionally well across those areas, helping distinguish it from other premium wake boats and ultimately supporting its selection as Watersports Boat of the Year.

How the Ultré ZX Earned 2025 Watersports Boat of the Year

For Tigé Boats, the Ultré ZX’s recognition as Boating Magazine’s 2025 Watersports Boat of the Year represents a significant milestone. But the importance of the award extends beyond the title itself.

The selection reflects a process built around independent testing, experienced editorial judgment, and direct comparison within the boating industry.

It recognizes a boat that demonstrated its capabilities not through a manufacturer’s claims, but through the experience of putting it on the water and evaluating what it delivers.

And that is ultimately what makes Boat of the Year meaningful.

The Ultré ZX did not simply enter the conversation. After a year of testing and deliberation, it emerged as the boat selected to represent the best of the watersports category.

That is what it means to earn Boat of the Year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What boat won the 2025 Watersports Boat of the Year?

The Tigé Ultré 23ZX was named Boating Magazine’s 2025 Watersports Boat of the Year following the publication’s annual boat testing and editorial evaluation process.

How is the Watersports Boat of the Year selected?

Boating Magazine tests approximately 100 boats throughout the year, identifying standout models within their respective categories. Its editorial team discusses and evaluates the contenders before selecting the boats recognized as Boat of the Year.

What makes the Tigé Ultré ZX one of the best luxury wakesurf boats?

The Ultré ZX combines a performance-focused hull, 4,000 pounds of internal ballast, TAPS 3T technology, and the intuitive GO System to deliver customizable wakes and waves. Its premium interior, innovative seating, integrated cooler, and functional storage further distinguish it among luxury watersports boats.

What is the difference between the Tigé Ultré 23ZX and Ultré 25ZX?

The Ultré 23ZX and Ultré 25ZX are two models within Tigé’s flagship Ultré ZX lineup. The 23ZX measures 23 feet 5 inches and accommodates up to 16 people, while the 25ZX offers a larger 25-foot platform with seating for up to 19.

Is the Tigé Ultré ZX designed for wakesurfing and wakeboarding?

Yes. The Ultré ZX is designed for multiple watersports, including wakesurfing, wakeboarding, foiling, and skiing. Its GO System allows users to select their preferred activity and skill level, helping configure the boat’s performance for different riders.

When a Life Is Taken Too Soon, the Law Still Has an Answer

By
SM
-

Losing someone you love turns a life upside down in a single day. The grief is the first thing, and then the bills arrive, final medical costs, funeral expenses, and the income that is suddenly gone. Nothing in a courtroom can undo what happened, and no amount of money is a magic fix, but the law gives a family one real way to answer, hold the at fault party to account and demand fair compensation.

Being owed compensation and actually receiving it are two very different things. The at fault party and its insurer may dispute who was to blame, haggle hard over every dollar, and put barrier after barrier in your path. That is why families in Prince William County turn to a lawyer who has done this work since 1999 and is ready to go to trial when talking is not enough.

What You Must Prove

Medical and Official Records

A claim starts with proof that the wrongful conduct caused the death, and that the person would have had a personal injury claim had they survived. Medical records lead the way, coroner’s inquests, lab reports, and prescriptions that tie the cause of death to the incident itself.

Accident scene reports add the official record, police logs and private incident reports that set out what happened and who may be to blame. Together they form the backbone of the case, the facts no one can argue away with a shrug.

People Who Saw It

Witnesses matter because they were there. People who saw the incident unfold can confirm the order of events and back up the family’s account when the other side tells a different story. Their words, taken early while memories are fresh, often decide whether a claim stands or falls.

The lawyer’s job is to find those people before they move on or forget. That means asking questions quickly, writing down what they say, and keeping their statements safe, so the truth of the day is not lost to time.

Experts and Images

Some cases need a professional eye. Accident reconstruction specialists can rebuild the crash, and medical providers can explain in plain terms how the injury led to the death. Their opinions turn a family’s story into evidence a court can weigh.

Photographs and video carry weight too, scene photos, surveillance footage, cell phone video, and even digital evidence from social media. A single image can settle what ten pages of argument cannot, which is why the firm moves fast to preserve it all.

How These Deaths Happen

Wrongful death claims in Prince William County come from many kinds of negligence, and the list is long. Car and truck accidents lead it, alongside motorcycle crashes, workplace and construction accidents, defective products, dangerous property conditions, and boating accidents, with other negligent acts behind them.

What ties them together is simple, someone’s wrongful act or careless conduct took a life that should still be here. A Prince William County Wrongful Death Lawyer looks first at that conduct, then at the loss it caused, and builds the claim from there.

Who Can File, and Who Receives the Money

Under Virginia law only certain people may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. In most cases it is the personal representative of the estate, the person who administers it, often called the executor, and if the decedent named no one, the court can appoint one. In a wrongful fetal death, the natural mother may bring the claim, or her administrator, guardian, or personal representative if she has died or cannot act.

The money itself does not go to the person who files. It goes to the statutory beneficiaries under Virginia law, surviving spouses, children, or grandchildren, surviving parents and siblings, household relatives who depended on the deceased for money, and other relatives entitled to inherit when someone dies without a will.

What Compensation Can Cover

A Prince William County Wrongful Death Lawyer will ask for every loss the law allows. The income the person would reasonably have earned had they survived, and the services, protection, care, and assistance they would have given, sit at the heart of the claim. Medical costs from the injury that led to death, and reasonable funeral and burial costs, are recoverable too.

The losses that cannot be priced are part of it as well, the sorrow and mental anguish of losing a loved one’s companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice. And when the at fault party’s conduct was willful or wanton, or showed a conscious disregard for the safety of others, the court may award punitive damages, meant to punish the defendant and stop the same conduct happening again.

LossWhat it covers
Emotional lossSorrow, mental anguish, lost companionship and guidance
Economic lossIncome the person would have earned, and services they would have given
Medical expensesCare, treatment, and hospital costs before death
Funeral expensesReasonable funeral and burial costs
Punitive damagesPunishment when conduct was willful or wanton

How a Settlement Reaches Your Family

When a wrongful death suit ends in a settlement, the at-fault party or its insurer pays the estate a set amount, either as one lump sum or as a series of payments over an agreed timeline, known as a structured settlement. The payment does not go straight to the family, it is usually deposited into an escrow account managed by the personal representative or the attorney.

From that account the estate’s debts and claims are settled first, outstanding medical bills and legal fees among them. Only after those are paid does the personal representative or attorney distribute what remains among the rightful beneficiaries under Virginia law, so every dollar is accounted for before it reaches a family member.

Two Years, and Why Waiting Hurts

Virginia generally gives a family two years from the date of the person’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, though certain circumstances can change that timeline. Filing late gives the at fault party a ready move, asking the court to throw the case out as untimely, and the courts will likely agree, ending the chance at compensation in trial. A Prince William County Wrongful Death Lawyer will say the same thing first, get help as soon as you can.

The proof also fades with time. Witnesses forget, footage is recorded over, and records scatter. Mike Mullori has represented Virginia families since 1999, and his hands-on approach starts with sitting down, listening to your story, and laying out your options in plain English, with no jargon and no runaround.

A Free Conversation With Mike Mullori

Mike is known for being straight talking and ethical, with open lines of communication that keep you informed as the case moves. His practice is focused entirely on personal injury law, so he knows the Prince William County civil courts and how to take on insurers that refuse to make a fair offer. Calls are answered around the clock, and services are available in Spanish.

There is no upfront cost and no obligation, only honest advice from an attorney with a quarter century of experience. A Prince William County Wrongful Death Lawyer is one call away, at (703) 762-2142, or at the Woodbridge office, 2500 Hunter Place, Suite 102. Reach out today for a free consultation and find out where your family stands.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Homestead-Miami

By
Official Release
-

Homestead-Miami Speedway
Sunday, Nov. 8
1.5-Mile Oval
3 p.m. ET
Location: Homestead, Florida
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 36 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 34 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Race: 9th (Martinsville)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 1st

 No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet  

  • Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team scored another top-10 finish last weekend at Martinsville Speedway, marking their eighth top 10 of The Chase.
  • The No. 5 team heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway with a 67-point lead over second place. Larson needs to score nine points in Sunday’s race to clinch the 2026 championship. Eight stage points or finishing 28th or better will secure the title.
  • The Elk Grove, California, native enters the finale with a 6.8 average finishing position in The Chase. The defending champion ranks first in every major statistical category, including points (424), wins (three), top-five finishes (six), top-10 finishes (eight), laps led (579) and average finish (6.8).
  • The No. 5 team has won two of the last four races at Homestead-Miami, including the most recent NASCAR Cup Series race there in March 2025.
  • In addition to his success in the Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Larson has earned a victory each in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.  

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 30 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last Race: 2nd (Martinsville)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 10th

 No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet  

  • Following his runner-up effort at Martinsville Speedway, Chase Elliott is 10th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings heading into this weekend’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
  • On 1.5-mile tracks this season, the 30-year-old driver has one victory (Texas Motor Speedway), has led 87 laps, has an average finish of 10.75 and earned a stage win. Elliott has finished top 10 in five of the last eight races at 1.5-mile facilities.
  • Elliott has the fifth-best average finish (10.6) at Homestead-Miami all time in the Cup Series among drivers with at least five starts and the third-best average finish among active drivers on that list.
  • His best finish at the South Florida track is second (2020).  

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 28 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Race: 1st (Martinsville)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 9th

No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet  

  • Starting eighth, William Byron swept both stages and led a career-high 362 laps in Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway. He picked up the fastest lap award before going on to win his first race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
  • Sunday’s victory was his fourth Cup Series win at Martinsville, and he became just the second driver to score a race-maximum 76 points this season, joining Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native’s stellar day propelled him to ninth in The Chase standings, 166 points behind the leader heading into the final race.
  • Byron’s win gives him 17 in the Next Gen era, the third most. He also extended his active streak of consecutive seasons with wins to seven, the third-longest active such streak and the third-longest in Hendrick Motorsports history (Jimmie Johnson 16, Jeff Gordon 14).
  • On 1.5-mile tracks in 2026, Byron has the fifth-best average finish (10.38) and is one of two drivers with seven top-10 finishes, most in the field.
  • In the Next Gen era on 1.5-mile tracks, Byron has an average finish of 9.9, best among all drivers. In the last 11 races on this track type, he has nine top 10s. While in the same era at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Byron has the second-best average finish at 8.5.
  • Overall, Byron has eight Cup Series starts at Homestead with one win (2021), one pole, two top-five finishes and four top 10s with 160 laps led.  

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 33 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Race: 13th (Martinsville)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 26th

 No. 48 Ally Chevrolet  

  • Last weekend at Martinsville Speedway, Alex Bowman qualified seventh for the NASCAR Cup Series race, marking his eighth top-10 starting position of the season. He went on to finish in 13th, earning his 12th top-15 result in the 2026 season.
  • In the most recent Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (March 2025), Bowman finished runner-up to teammate Kyle Larson after starting from the pole and leading 43 laps.
  • The 33-year-old has earned four top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile oval with his two highest finishes coming in his most recent starts.
  • Bowman has the fourth-best average finish among active Cup drivers at Homestead-Miami in the Next Gen era at 9.33.  

17 COREY DAY
Age: 20 (November 28, 2005)
Hometown: Clovis, California
Last Race: 3rd (Martinsville)
Crew Chief: Adam Wall
Standings: 3rd

  •  Corey Day and the No. 17 HendrickCars.com team secured a third-place finish at Martinsville Speedway following a resilient performance that kept them in contention for the NASCAR O’Reilly Series championship. Day remains third in the standings, now just 23 points behind the leader as the field heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season finale.
  • The Clovis, California, native heads to the 1.5-mile oval for his NOAPS debut at the track. Day has made two NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the venue, finishing 15th in 2024 and 16th last season.
  • Day swept his last two starts on 1.5-mile tracks, both during The Chase, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • He enters the season finale following a successful rookie campaign that has included four victories, two poles, 12 top-five finishes, 22 top 10s and 422 laps led across 32 races.  

Hendrick Motorsports

2026All-TimeHomestead
Races351,45227**
Wins6326*5
Poles0259*5
Top 5341,356*23
Top 10592,319*44
Laps Led2,09687,463*1,178
Stage Wins161534

*Most
**Tied for most

  • The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend for the 2026 season finale. Hendrick Motorsports has combined to win three of the last five races at the 1.5-mile oval with William Byron winning in 2021 and Kyle Larson in 2022 and 2025.
  • At least one of Rick Hendrick’s Chevrolets has finished in the top 10 in each of the last 24 races at Homestead-Miami, the longest such streak of any team in the Cup Series.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine department enters the weekend with 588 victories across all three national NASCAR touring series including 25 of 32 events in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series this season.
  • Hendrick Motorsports remains the Cup Series’ all-time standard bearer in wins (326), poles (259), top-five finishes (1,356), top 10s (2,319), laps led (87,463) and championships (15).  

QUOTABLE
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on his cushion in the points standings: “I would feel a lot more confident if the gap were 77 points, but now it’s down to single digits that we need to score. There’s definitely a sense of relief knowing we have a comfortable gap heading into Homestead[-Miami Speedway], but nothing is locked up yet, and anything can happen, so I know I’ll feel some pressure this week. I’d love to get a couple of solid first stages under our belt and then go out and pound it in the final stage. We just need to approach the weekend like we have throughout The Chase: be prepared and ready to capitalize on every opportunity. Crazy things can happen, so we need to be ready for anything.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on this weekend’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway: “We just want to go and have a good run to close out the season. I feel like we’ve put together some good races these last few weeks, you know, outside of crashing at Talladega. It’d be great to do down to Homestead[-Miami Speedway] and continue that and end the season on a high note.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, coming off a win at Martinsville: “Hopefully we can go to Homestead[-Miami Speedway] and run really well there, too. I think this is a good way to go into the offseason, off time. Like I said, I just wanted to win a race really bad. It’s tough to win in the Cup Series. You never want to get used to losing. That is a culture that you never want to shift, especially when you drive for the team we have, driving the No. 24 car. It’s important that we can win races. [The Martinsville win] feels really good. I think it just shows the effort we can put in.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on heading to Homestead-Miami Speedway: “Homestead[-Miami Speedway] has been a really good track for our Ally 48 team. Last year, we had a really solid race; qualified on the pole, led laps and finished second to Kyle [Larson]. It’s not a secret we’ve had an up and down season, but our goal is to close it out on a high note and Homestead is a place we can do that while supporting our teammates on the No. 5 as they chase the championship.”

Corey Day, driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet, on heading to Homestead-Miami Speedway to chase a championship: “We’re heading to Homestead-Miami [Speedway] knowing we need to win to bring home the NASCAR O’Reilly Series championship, and I like our chances. Our No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team has been getting better at the right time, and this is a 1.5-mile track, which is probably my favorite type of track to race on. I haven’t raced Homestead in a NOAPS car yet, but I’m excited to get there. These tracks really suit my driving style and remind me a lot of racing on dirt. I like being able to run up high and find my own lines, so I think it’ll be a fun challenge. Regardless of how it all shakes out, I’m really proud of this team and everything we’ve accomplished this year. At the beginning of the season, I don’t know if I necessarily expected us to be in this position, so to be heading into the championship with a shot at winning is pretty cool.”

RCR Race Preview: Homestead-Miami Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway… In 74 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolets have earned 12 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes. Additionally, they have completed 99% of the laps contested (19,578 of 19,777) and have led 176 laps. The Welcome, N.C.-based team owns a best finish of second, scored five times: Kevin Harvick (2003 and 2008), Jeff Burton (2009), Ryan Newman (2014) and Tyler Reddick (2021).

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway… RCR owns five NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway, highlighted by Tyler Reddick’s championship-clinching victory in 2019. Myatt Snider grabbed his first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at the track in 2021. Burton rallied from a 30th-place starting position to win in 2007, leading the final 26 laps. Harvick scored a dominating win in 2003, leading 108 of 203 laps. Austin Hill swept both stages en-route to racking up his 10th-career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win at Homestead in 2024 by a 3.045-second margin of victory.

Championship Weekend… This weekend, RCR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Jesse Love will be competing for two championships. Not only is the 21-year-old in contention for the drivers championship, but he is also in the running to deliver RCR the team’s sixth owners championship.

Did You Know?… Richard Childress Racing has won six O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championships (2001, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2019, 2025) – the most all-time for one team. RCR has also won five O’Reilly Auto Parts Series owner championships (2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2019) – second-most all-time.

The Cowboy Way… This weekend while RCR is contending for championship titles on track, they will also be vying for a world title on the dirt, with the Carolina Cowboys set to ride in the 2026 PBR Teams Championship in Las Vegas as the No. 4 seed. The Cowboys, a professional team in the PBR Teams League, that are owned by Richard Childress and Jeff Broin, with Austin Dillon serving as General Manager, are attempting to make history, and repeat as the league’s champions. They concluded the regular season with a 19-16 record and will face the No. 7 New York Mavericks when post-season competition gets underway on Nov. 6 inside T-Mobile Arena. For more information on Carolina Cowboys, and for updates on the team’s title defense, connect with the team on Facebook, @carolinacowboyspbr on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, or @CARCowboysPBR on Twitter.

Catch Saturday’s Action… The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, November 7 at 5 p.m. ET on The CW. The live radio broadcast can be heard on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Friday afternoon’s practice session at 4 p.m. ET and Saturday’s qualifying session at 1 p.m. ET will both be shown for free on The CW App and stream on the ESPN App with ESPN Unlimited.

Watch Us on NBC… The Cup Series Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised on Sunday, November 8 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The live radio broadcast can be heard on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Friday evening’s practice session at 5:30 p.m. ET and Saturday’s qualifying session at 2:30 p.m. ET will both be shown live on truTV. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race. 

Facebook X Instagram

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Dillon has 12 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has completed 100% of the laps run at the 1.5-mile oval. His best Cup Series finish at the track is a fourth-place result he earned in the fall of 2022.

Beyond the Cup Series… Dillon has four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, acquiring three top-five finishes, including a best finish of second in 2015 after leading 16 laps. In three NASCAR Truck Series starts Dillon won the pole in 2010 and earned a best finish of 10th in 2011.

Championship Glory… Dillon clinched the 2011 NASCAR Truck Series and the 2013 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship at the track driving the famed No. 3 Chevrolet in both series.

BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Teams Up with Dillon… Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team will be supported by BREZTRI AEROSPHERE, an AstraZeneca product, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This partnership is about more than just racing. You can learn more about Dillon and his family’s personal connection to the brand at BREZTRI.com. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and Biopharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Meet Dillon… Racegoers will have three opportunities to meet Dillon this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. On Sunday, November 8 beginning at 10:10 a.m. Local Time, Dillon is scheduled to stop by the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Zone to sign autographs. Be sure to stop by and stock up on all your race day gear. For fans unable to travel to the race, visit the official RCR Team Store to purchase Austin Dillon merch: https://store.rcrracing.com.

Later that morning, beginning at 10:45 a.m. Local Time, Dillon will crisscross the fan zone for a special question and answer session at the Chevrolet Display. Don’t miss your chance to hear from Dillon first-hand before the green flag waves.

Finally, Dillon’s Sunday morning trio of appearances in the fan zone will conclude at 11:05 a.m. Local Time at the Coca-Cola Experiential Display. Don’t miss your last chance to meet the driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet and get his autograph before he climbs into the car to go racing.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

It’s been a number of year since NASCAR ran the season finale at Homestead. How are you feeling about closing out the season in South Florida?

“Homestead is probably my favorite track of the year, and I love that it’s the last race of the year down in Florida. I can’t wait to get there with the No. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Chevrolet and just slide around, try to run the fence from the bottom, try to run everywhere. It’s a place that you can move all over and find grip. It’s slick, just a great place to go race.”

Austin Hill and the No. 33 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Hill will make his first career NASCAR Cup Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. The 32-year-old is a two-time winner at the 1.5-mile oval, winning once in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts and NASCAR Truck Series.

Pit Stop After Dark… On Thursday, November 5 at 7 p.m. Local Time, fans and local guests are invited meet three No. 33 pit crew members – Garrett Crall, Tanner Wells, and Bryan Ketchie – at the Thesis Hotel Miami (1350 S Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, Florida 33146). Signature cocktails featuring Rebel 100 Bourbon and Rebel Root Beer Whiskey will be served.

About Rebel Bourbon… Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe, Rebel Bourbon features a wheated mash bill true to its original recipe dating back to 1849, when it was invented at the Stitzel-Weller distillery. Our defiantly smooth premium wheated bourbon celebrates those who embrace bold originality and a rebellious spirit. Our products have earned top spirits industry honors including Single Barrel American Whiskey of the Year for Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel also won a double platinum medal at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, a double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a double gold medal and Consumer’s Choice Award at the 2025 SIP Awards. To learn more, visit RebelBourbon.com and follow @rebelbourbon on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

About Luxco… Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products with a mission to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco operates as MGP Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) Branded Spirits division since its acquisition in 2021. The company’s extensive and award-winning premium portfolio includes brands from four distilleries: Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Penelope and Remus bourbon are produced; Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Rebel, Ezra Brooks, and Blood Oath bourbons; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Bourbon; and Arandas, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas including Cortada, El Mayor, Escasa and Exotico. For more information, visit Luxco.com.

Meet Hill… On Sunday, November 8 at 10:40 a.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the Winston, Georgia native and purchase No. 33 team gear, including a Rebel Bourbon t-shirt honoring the original rebel, Kyle Busch.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

Heading into the final race of the season, what are the overall thoughts for the No. 33 team?

“This year has been a long one that none of us expected, but I’m proud of everyone on this No. 33 team and inside our walls at RCR and ECR for continuing to put in the effort each and every week. Double duty has not been easy, but we’ve made the most of it. I personally learned that I can carry more than I originally thought I could. On track, the last few months have had ups and downs, but we’ve figured out a few things that will help us going into next year. Our goal is to finish this weekend strong in our Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet and put together a solid race to head into the offseason on a positive note.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Jesse Love has made two career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Menlo Park, California native has one top-five and two top-10 finishes with a career-best result of fourth-place in 2024.

Get to the Points… Last weekend at Martinsville Speedway, Love battled through numerous issues, including a brake failure and late-race crash, ultimately finishing the race 30th. Earning just 13 points, Love dropped to No. 2 in the standings and travels to Homestead-Miami Speedway 22 points behind No. 1 Allgaier. Thus far in 2026, Love has outscored Allgaier by 22 points six times. The California-native can clinch the title by scoring 76 points.

Chasing History… This weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Love will look to make history. If Love were to make a come-from-behind push to be crowned the 2026 Champion, he would become the youngest multi-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion and third driver to win multiple championships in within their first three seasons of their series career. Additionally, should he defend his title, Love would become the 10th driver to win multiple titles in the series, and the second to achieve the milestone for RCR, and eighth to emerge victorious in back-to-back seasons, becoming the first to accomplish the feat since Tyler Reddick in 2018-2019.

Did You Know… Love is the only driver to finish inside the top-10 in every 1.5-mile race in 2026.

Dominance on Pit Road… After playing a pivotal role in Jesse Love’s 2025 championship season, the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team’s pit crew has once again delivered a standout season, heading to this weekend’s Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway ranked first in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Last weekend at Martinsville Speedway the team delivered the fastest four-tire stop of the season, clocking in at 12.796 seconds when Love pitted under caution at Lap 63. Of the five fastest stops throughout the entire 2026 season, the No. 2 team has registered three, logging the second fastest stop of the season (12.816 seconds) in October at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the fourth-fastest (13.020 seconds) this spring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

About Whelen Engineering… Since 1952, Whelen Engineering has been a proud ally and supporter of our nation’s first responders. Driven by a mission to protect those who protect others, Whelen provides the high-quality, reliable products and technology needed to aid them in their critical missions. From warning lights to white illumination, sirens, controllers, and software, every product that bears the Whelen name has been thoughtfully designed, manufactured, and tested right here in America to perform at the highest level in any condition. Whelen is honored to have earned the trust of first responders around the world as leaders of the emergency warning industry and carries that responsibility earnestly, always striving to ensure that the everyday heroes serving under the illumination and protection of Whelen products are equipped to do their jobs with enhanced efficiency, reliability, and safety. To learn more about Whelen Engineering, visit www.whelen.com.

Everyday Champion… Whelen Engineering has named Jason Horne, a firefighter and paramedic with the Midlothian Fire Department in Texas, its 2026 Whelen Everyday Champion. On July 4, 2026, Horne helped rescue three children trapped beneath an overturned boat, performing CPR and rescue breathing to help save two children who were not breathing. All three survived. With 25 years in emergency services, Horne continues to serve his community by mentoring future first responders and advocating for mental health support. He will be honored at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in November as part of the Whelen Hall of Champions. Learn more at whelen.com/everydaychampion.

Meet Love… Don’t miss your chance to hear from Love, and the other championship contenders directly, on Saturday, November 7 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Local Time. The four drivers will all take to the NASCAR Experience Stage in the fan zone to talk about the final race in their quest to be crowned Champion before the green flag waves.

JESSE LOVE QUOTES:

You were winless in the regular season, but have since won two races in the Chase. What has clicked with the team?

“This year, no doubt, the beginning was a struggle to find victory lane with the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet. Racing can be hard because you don’t always get instant gratification or satisfaction from your work and effort that you put in. For whatever reason, throughout each race it was always something different. But I knew if we continued to see it through and stick with our plan, and put our best foot forward, that it was just a matter of time before things started to get back on the right track. Obviously once the Chase starts you start to see what teams and what group of people are capable of operating at the highest level and I believe that the No. 2 team has shown throughout the last couple of years, that when it comes to that, there’s nobody that can operate on as high of a level.”

What role is the track in Homestead going to play in determining the Champion this weekend?

“Crowning a Champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it’s a dynamic racetrack, and it’s going to be a lot different than the year’s past in Pheonix. The track, like I said, is very dynamic. You move around a lot. You do somewhat at Pheonix too, but when you go to Homestead there’s a lot of risk versus reward, probably more so than there is at Pheonix. So balancing that risk and dancing more on that razor’s edge is something that you have to manage throughout the whole weekend, not just in the race and at the end of it, but through each stage, through qualifying and through practice as well. It’s also a track that we usually don’t go to twice a year, so all of these things add an impact to it, and make it probably more of a challenge, however it’s the same challenge for everybody. So you have to be prepared for that and get ready to execute a flawless weekend.”

What is it going to take as a driver to be a Champion this weekend?

“People ask that a lot, what it’s going to take from the driver standpoint to be a Champion this weekend, and that’s going to change throughout the whole weekend. It’s going to change during practice, it’s going to change during qualifying, it’s going to change through each stage of the race and down to the wire of it. You don’t know 100% before you get there, but you can be present in the moment and live in the moment and be prepared to adapt. There are so many different things that can happen, point and situation scenarios can change, and reality will set in whether that is good, bad or somewhere in between. But I think where the real value and where the real champion will come from a driver standpoint and a team standpoint is those that are prepared to be champions, but are also living in the moment and ready to adapt to whatever Homestead throws at us.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Hill has made four career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning one win, three top-five and four top-10 finishes. The Winston, Georgia native has never finished worse than the ninth position in O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition at the 1.5-mile oval. Hill also has five NASCAR Truck Series starts at Homestead-Miami, claiming one victory in 2019 and one pole in 2020.

End of a Chapter… This Saturday marks the completion of five O’Reilly Auto Part Series seasons of Hill driving the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. During that time, Hill recorded 16 wins, 59 top-five and 97 top-10 results. The racer won the 2023 regular season championship, secured RCR’s 100th series victory, and broke the all-time series records of drafting track wins, laps led, and stage wins. Hill is the second winningest driver in RCR’s storied series history, only behind NASCAR Hall of Famer Kevin Harvick.

Points Check…  Hill currently holds the 10th position in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase standings. The 32-year-old is 14 points behind ninth-place Brandon Jones.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit bennettig.com.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

You have one final race with the No. 21 team, and it comes at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a place where you have won at before. What would define a good weekend to end this chapter of your career?

“Our goal is to end the season the same way we started it – in Victory Lane together with our Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet. I was fortunate to win my very first O’Reilly (Auto Parts Series) race at RCR back in 2022 and it would be special to win the last one with this group. The No. 21 team has been a special team for years, and I’m going to miss these guys. Our season, especially our Chase, has not gone how we thought it would, but that doesn’t take away the work that everyone put in. We have a lot to be proud of, no matter how it ends, but we sure would like to finish it off with a win. We know what it takes to win at Homestead. It’s a track that lends itself to running up against the wall, but we also proved a couple years ago that you could run the bottom and win the race. We’ll see where the speed is this weekend and go from there.”

Daniel Hemric NCTS Homestead-Miami Speedway Preview

By
Official Release
-

Race Information

Venue: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Event: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series Championship
Date: Friday, November 6
Location: Homestead, FL
Track Description: 1.5-mile oval
Distance: 134 laps / 201 miles (7:30 p.m. ET – FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM)
Hemric Looks for Final Triumph of 2026 in Homestead

The Final Countdown … Daniel Hemric looks to capture the final triumph of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series (NCTS) campaign as Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS) hosts the season finale for the first time since 2019. The driver of the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado RST is making his 100th NCTS start and can mathematically reach a career-high in the points standings. Hemric aims to capitalize on his strong track record in South Florida and capture the first HMS trophy for MHR.

Home Sweet Homestead … Friday’s finale marks Hemric’s 13th appearance at the 1.5-mile track just north of the Florida Keys. In 12 previous races across NASCAR’s three national series, Hemric has done nearly everything except drive into HMS’ victory lane. His four NCTS starts have yielded two top-five’s and three top-10’s, and he has finished 12th or better in each race. His six starts in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition produced three top-five’s and four top-10 results. Hemric looks to transfer that history into a strong finish to the season and cap off a consistent run in the Chase, during which he scored three top-10’s over six races, with only one finish outside the top-15.

Season to Date … Hemric enters the season finale eighth in the NCTS Chase standings, 18 points behind seventh, 25 markers behind sixth, and can finish as high as fifth. In the 24 races thus far, Hemric has accumulated three top-five’s and 11 top-10 finishes with one stage win and an average finish of 14.7.

Tune In … Thursday’s practice session can be seen live on The NASCAR Channel at 6:30 p.m. ET. FOX Sports 2 covers qualifying on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. ET followed by the green flag at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Stay connected with the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care team by following @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmr_nascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.

Daniel Hemric Quote:

On the season finale at Homestead:

“It’s a nice change of pace to be back at Homestead for the finale. It’s a fast, wide place that gives us drivers a lot of options to make speed and find grip. It gives up a lot of pace during a run and you have to manage the tire wear. You need to have short run speed like every other mile-and-a-half that we go to, plus have the balance and capability to be consistent over the long haul. It was almost two years ago since we were there last but felt like we had the balance close. If we can apply some of the speed we’ve had recently, we’ll be able to make it a good night for our NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet.”

Daniel Hemric 2026 NCTS Stats

Starts: 24

Poles: 0

Wins: 0

Top-5’s: 3

Top-10’s: 11

Average Finish: 14.7

Laps Led: 5

Stage Wins: 1

Points Position: 8th

Through nearly 6,000 auto parts stores and over 18,000 auto care centers in the U.S., NAPA has America’s largest network of parts and care. The NAPA Network is supported by nationwide distribution centers with approximately 800,000 available parts, accessories and supplies. Widely recognized for quality parts, rapid availability and knowledgeable people, NAPA Auto Parts stores serve automotive service professionals, do-it-yourselfers and everyday drivers with quality parts, accessories and supplies to keep cars, trucks and equipment performing safely and efficiently. In 2025, NAPA proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary by honoring its innovative spirit and centennial legacy through community initiatives and a renewed commitment to driving the industry forward for the next century. For more information, visit www.napaonline.com.

Race Week Briefing: Homestead-Miami Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Event: NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race
Date/Time: Sunday, November 8, 2026, 3 p.m. ET
Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, Florida
Layout: 1.5-Mile Oval
TV/Radio: NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Wood Brothers Racing and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head to Homestead-Miami Speedway for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship race celebrating a milestone 25-year partnership with Motorcraft while preparing to close out their two-year run with driver Josh Berry, who delivered the organization’s historic 101st victory.

To commemorate the silver anniversary of the partnership, the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will carry a special 25th anniversary Motorcraft decal on its hood this weekend.

Jon Wood, a third-generation member of the Wood Brothers family who serves as team president and co-owner, reflected on the significance of the longstanding relationship with Motorcraft, which ranks among the longest-running partnerships in NASCAR history.

“Our relationship with Motorcraft is something our family takes a tremendous amount of pride in,” Wood said. “When you look at how much this sport has changed over the last 25 years, it really puts into perspective how special it is to have a partner that has been with us through so much of our history.

“We’ve celebrated some great moments together, and the relationships we’ve built with the people at Ford and Motorcraft mean just as much to us as the success we’ve shared on the racetrack. We’re grateful for their continued commitment to our race team and look forward to building on that in the years ahead.”

Sunday’s season finale also marks Berry’s final race behind the wheel of the iconic No. 21 Ford before Jesse Love takes over driving duties in 2027.

“We’re certainly appreciative of everything Josh has contributed to Wood Brothers Racing over the last two seasons,” Wood said. “Bringing home our 101st victory at Las Vegas last year was a special moment for our team in our 75th season, and Josh will always be a part of that history.

“Our focus now is on finishing the season strong at Homestead and closing out the year on a positive note.”

Berry and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team enter the season finale with momentum following a strong stretch of performances that includes a pair of fourth-place finishes at Charlotte and Martinsville, an 11th-place result at Phoenix and a 12th-place finish at Talladega.

Practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Both sessions will air on truTV.

Sunday’s 400.5-mile, 267-lap race is scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 3 p.m., with live television coverage on NBC.

Stage breaks are scheduled for Laps 80 and 165.

Josh Berry

Age: 36 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: HOMESTEAD-MIAMI RACE PREVIEW

By
Official Release
-

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: NASCAR Cup Series Championship
DATE: November 8, 2026
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 36 of 36
TRACK: Homestead-Miami Speedway | 1.5-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT HOMESTEAD: John Hunter Nemechek has six prior NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He earned a best finish of 19th in June 2020. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Nemechek has three starts, where he earned two third-place finishes. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he has five starts, and earned two top-10 finishes, including a second-place finish in November 2015.

ZOO MIAMI: Nemechek will make a stop at Zoo Miami on Friday ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He’ll be joined by LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ambassador Trevor Bayne as the duo will have the opportunity to explore the zoo and experience one of South Florida’s most popular attractions before turning their attention to Sunday’s race.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I’m excited to get back to Homestead as it is one of my favorite places and my family has a lot of history there. Looking forward to bringing home a solid finish for our last ride with this No. 42 group and end this season on a high. Thanks to everyone who has supported me over the last three years. Last one, bring it.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES HOMESTEAD STATS: Jones has nine starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series where he has earned one top-five and one top-10 finish in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best result at the track was a third-place finish in 2019. Jones has a third-place finish in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2015. In 2016, he competed for the championship but finished ninth in the race and finished the season fourth in the points standings.

TRUCK SERIES CHAMPION: In 2015, Jones was running his one and only full-time campaign in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports. He ran a part-time schedule the two years prior before he moved into the No. 4 Toyota for all 23 races of the 2015 season. He accumulated three wins, 11 top-fives, and 20 top-10s. In the season finale at Homestead, Jones finished sixth but bested Tyler Reddick and Matt Crafton to claim the title of Champion due to his strong season and points lead.

WINDOW OF HOPE STEPS UP: The Erik Jones Foundation kicked off the 2026 race-worn, autographed shoe auction on Monday, November 2 on its website to raise money for breast cancer research. Drivers from all three National Series donated shoes to support the Foundation as it shifted away from its iconic pink window nets due to manufacturer conflicts. Visit ErikJonesFoundation.org to bid and learn more.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“Excited to get to Homestead to hopefully finish the 2026 season on a strong note. Martinsville wasn’t our best race, so we’re going into this hoping that the Charlotte test and things we’ve learned on other intermediates will help us make this car better for the race. While we’re not racing for a championship, we’re still working to get stronger for 2027 and beyond. Hoping to get a good finish with our No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE.”

CLUB NOTES:
JJ’S HISTORY AT HOMESTEAD: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson secured his historic seventh championship with a victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2016. This win remains his only triumph at the track and cemented his place in history, tying him with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and CLUB ambassador Richard Petty, “The King,” for the most championships in NASCAR Cup Series history.

THE SOUTHERNMOST TUNNEL: In 2020, during Johnson’s final season as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, Homestead-Miami Speedway paid tribute to him by renaming the turn-three tunnel. Located off Palm Drive, this tunnel holds the distinction of being the southernmost tunnel in the United States and is now called “Jimmie Johnson’s Southernmost Tunnel.”

KENSETH HOMESTEAD STATS: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth has 20 Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His career at the 1.5-mile oval in South Florida yielded one win in November 2007, four top-fives, and 11 top-10s. He led a total of 449 laps led at the track.

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Erik Jones will make an appearance at the NASCAR Experience Stage in the fan zone on Friday, November 6 at 2:30 p.m. local time for a live interview with SiriusXM’s Dave Moody.

John Hunter Nemechek will stop by the trackside merchandise trailer on Saturday, November 7 for an autograph session at 1 p.m. local time. On Sunday, November 8, Nemechek will visit the Toyota Merchandise Trailer at 10:50 a.m. local time for an autograph session.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 8 at 3 p.m. EST on NBC, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. The No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE driven by Riley Herbst will debut full time in the 2027 season, while Johnson will make his final NASCAR Cup Series start at the 2027 DAYTONA 500 in the No. 48 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Kyle Larson Only Needs 28th to Win the NASCAR Championship. But Who Wins the Race?

By
SM
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

NASCAR Championship Preview: Homestead Odds, Betting Value, and Picks

Kyle Larson is one safe finish away from another NASCAR Cup Series championship, but that doesn’t mean Sunday’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be predictable. While Larson can afford to play it safe, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin have everything to gain and nothing to lose. That creates an interesting situation for NASCAR bettors looking beyond the favorite.

SportsHub’s Glen Allen breaks down the championship scenarios, race-winner odds, potential upsets, and where the betting value may be hiding.

There’s a moment in every poker tournament when the chip leader stops trying to win hands and starts trying not to lose them. He folds the marginal spots, avoids the big confrontations, and lets everyone else take the risks. He doesn’t need to be perfect; he just needs to avoid disaster.

Kyle Larson is about to play that hand at Homestead.

The Math Is Simple

The NASCAR Cup Series championship comes down to Sunday, Nov. 8, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the first time the finale has been held there since 2019 after six seasons at Phoenix.

Three drivers are still alive in the Chase. Larson leads Christopher Bell by 67 points and Denny Hamlin by 70. According to the clinching scenarios, Larson needs just nine points to lock up the title. In practical terms, that means finishing 28th or better, even without a single stage point.

Twenty-eighth. In a full Cup field. For a driver who has spent the season near the front.

If he gets there, Larson will become a three-time Cup champion and win back-to-back titles, his third championship in six seasons. He has two wins in this year’s Chase, at Gateway and Talladega, and he won the most recent Cup race at Homestead in March 2025.

For Bell and Hamlin, the path is much narrower. They essentially need to win, and they need Larson’s day to go badly wrong, whether that’s a crash, a mechanical failure, or a costly penalty. Hamlin has three career wins at Homestead and a strong record on this track. Bell won here in 2023. Neither is short of ability. What they’re short of is margin.

Why Homestead Suits Him

It helps to understand the track. Homestead is a 1.5-mile oval with variable banking, which means the corners are steeper near the wall than at the bottom. The surface is old and abrasive, so tires wear out quickly, and lap times drop off sharply over a long run.

That combination rewards drivers who are willing to race inches from the outside wall, where the banking is steepest, and the speed is highest. Larson is famous for exactly that. When his car is right, he runs the top of the track like it’s a lane built just for him.

There’s a dry irony in it. The driver who needs to take the fewest risks on Sunday is also the one most comfortable driving a few inches from the concrete. Most people would call that living dangerously. For Larson, it’s just a Sunday afternoon.

Why This Matters for the Race Itself

Here’s where it gets interesting for bettors.

Heading into the weekend, Larson was the favorite to win the race at around +400. That reflects his talent, his car, and his record at Homestead. But it doesn’t fully reflect his incentive.

Larson doesn’t need to win on Sunday. He needs to finish. A driver who only needs 28th doesn’t dive into a three-wide gap on a late restart. He doesn’t push his tires to the limit chasing the leader. He protects the stack. That’s not a criticism. It’s exactly what a smart driver should do, and Larson is a smart driver.

Bell and Hamlin are in the opposite position. They have nothing to protect and everything to gain, so they’ll take every risk available to them. That makes them more aggressive, and aggressive drivers win races and wreck in roughly equal measure.

So when I look at the race-winner market, I see a favorite who may not be fully trying to win, and two contenders who are going all in. That’s not a pick. It’s a reason to think carefully before paying a short price on the championship leader.

The Field at a Glance

Approximate race-winner odds earlier this week, along with Homestead form:

DriverOddsHomestead notes
Kyle Larson+4002 wins, won the March 2025 race
Denny Hamlin+5503 wins, top-10 in two-thirds of his starts
Ryan Blaney+550Average finish around 17th, but runner-up twice in his last three starts
Christopher Bell+600Won here in 2023
Tyler Reddick+650Won here in 2024, top-10 in 5 of 6 starts, average finish 8.8
Chase Briscoe+700Career-best 4th here in March 2025
William Byron+800Won here in 2021, and won at Martinsville on Nov. 1

One comparison stands out. Blaney and Reddick are priced close together, with Blaney slightly shorter. But Reddick’s record at Homestead is far more consistent: a win in 2024, five top-10s in six starts, and an average finish under 9. Blaney’s two recent runner-up finishes are real, and I wouldn’t dismiss him. But on track history alone, Reddick looks like the better value of the two.

Hamlin is worth a second look too. He has the best long-term record here of anyone in the field, and with the title still mathematically possible, he has every reason to race for the win from the first lap.

And don’t overlook William Byron. He dominated at Martinsville on Nov. 1 for his first win of the season, and drivers coming off a breakthrough tend to arrive at the next track with a little extra confidence. At +800, he’s carrying momentum the market may not have fully priced in.

The Hocevar Story

The other headline this week came from Spire Motorsports, which suspended its own driver, Carson Hocevar, for the finale.

Hocevar was penalized by NASCAR for brake-checking Austin Cindric at Martinsville. He was fined $100,000 and docked 25 points, and Josh Berry was also penalized. But Spire didn’t wait for NASCAR. The team pulled Hocevar from the car before the league acted, and Hocevar admitted he “crossed the line.” Justin Haley will drive the No. 77 at Homestead.

It’s a striking decision. Teams rarely sideline their own driver, especially one who won at Talladega in the spring and has 12 top-10 finishes this year. It tells you how seriously Spire took it, and it’s a reminder that at this time of year, tempers run hot and discipline matters.

From a betting perspective, the No. 77 is now a different car with a different driver. Treat any market involving it with care.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The sport’s future made news this week too. Dodge is coming back to the Cup Series in 2027 with Kaulig Racing, the first time the brand will race at NASCAR’s top level since 2012. That gives the Cup Series four manufacturers again, alongside Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota. And Ryan Preece will take over RFK Racing’s No. 6 Ford next season. A new manufacturer means new cars, new data and, for a while at least, a market that’s still learning. That’s usually good news for patient bettors.

Where the Value Is

Championship weekends draw the biggest audience of the year, and with it, the most casual money. Casual money tends to follow the name at the top of the standings. That’s why the favorite in a race like this is often priced on reputation rather than on what he actually needs to do on the day.

Compare the prices on sportshub.com before the green flag, and look beyond the outright winner. Head-to-head matchups and top-five markets can be where the real edges sit when the leader is driving to finish rather than to win.

Larson will very likely be champion by Sunday evening. The race itself is far less certain, and that’s where the opportunity lives.

Looking for more NASCAR picks, race predictions, and breaking NASCAR news? Visit SportsHub.com for independent betting insights, expert analysis, and the latest motorsports coverage throughout the season.

1...8910...6,982Page 9 of 6,982