Homestead-Miami Speedway

Track Info

Location	Homestead, Florida
Type	Oval (Intermediate)
Length	1.5 miles (2.414 km)
Banking	18-20 degrees in turns (variable), 3 degrees on frontstretch
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~46,000
Opened	1995

Track Characteristics

Homestead-Miami Speedway is widely considered one of the best intermediate ovals on the NASCAR schedule for pure racing. The variable banking - ranging from 18 degrees at the bottom to 20 degrees at the top in the turns - creates multiple racing lanes and allows drivers to choose their own line through the corners. This progressive banking design encourages side-by-side racing and gives an advantage to drivers with precise car control.

Unlike most 1.5-mile tracks, Homestead does not have the quad-oval or tri-oval frontstretch configuration. The result is a more traditional oval shape that races differently from Charlotte, Las Vegas, or Kansas. The lower, flatter frontstretch puts less load on the cars and creates different braking zones entering the turns.

The South Florida climate adds another dimension. The heat and humidity affect tire wear and engine cooling, and the proximity to the ocean can bring sudden weather changes. The track surface tends to be slippery early in a run and builds grip over time, rewarding patient drivers who can manage their tires over long green-flag stretches.

2026 Championship Weekend

Homestead-Miami Speedway returns as the host of NASCAR Championship Weekend for the 2026 season. The Championship 4 format means the top four drivers in the playoff standings will race head-to-head over 400 miles, with the highest finisher among the four winning the Cup Series championship. This winner-take-all format has produced some of the most dramatic finishes in NASCAR playoff history.

Truck Series	Friday, November 6, 2026
Xfinity Series	Saturday, November 7, 2026
Cup Series Championship	Sunday, November 8, 2026
TV	NBC

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Miami International Airport (MIA) - approximately 35 miles north. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is about 55 miles north.
Nearest City	Homestead, FL. The track is located in the southern tip of the Miami metropolitan area, near the entrance to the Florida Keys.

Series That Race Here

• NASCAR Cup Series - Championship Weekend (season finale)
• NASCAR Xfinity Series - Championship race
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Championship race
• IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Track Records

Qualifying Record	Kurt Busch - 181.111 mph (2014)
Race Record	Tony Stewart - 142.710 mph (2011)

Notable Past Races

• 2011 Championship: Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards entered the finale tied in points. Stewart won the race and the championship in one of the most dramatic title fights in NASCAR history.
• 2014 Championship: Kevin Harvick needed a win to claim the title in the first year of the Championship 4 format. He led a race-high 198 laps and won the race to clinch his first Cup championship.
• 2016 Championship: Jimmie Johnson won his record-tying seventh Cup championship, holding off challengers throughout the race to join Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt at the top of the all-time list.
• 2020 Championship: Chase Elliott dominated the finale to clinch his first Cup title, winning by over six seconds in the final Homestead championship race before Phoenix took over as the finale venue.

Track Facts

• Homestead-Miami Speedway was originally built as a flat, rectangular track in 1995 and was reconfigured in 2003 with progressive banking, transforming it into one of the best racing surfaces in NASCAR.
• The speedway served as the NASCAR season finale for 18 consecutive years (2002-2019), making it synonymous with championship drama.
• The track was partly built as an economic recovery effort after Hurricane Andrew devastated the Homestead area in 1992.
• Homestead returns as the championship venue for 2026, giving it another chance to host the season-defining moment.
• The facility also includes a road course used for IMSA sports car racing and other events.

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