HOMESTEAD, FL. – The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the picturesque Homestead-Miami Speedway this Sunday, October 27, for the Straight Talk Wireless 400. Drivers will tackle the challenging 1.5-mile oval in a quest for victory. The race kicks off at 2:30 p.m. EDT and will consist of 267 laps, totaling 400.5 miles, making it a true test of endurance and skill.
Homestead-Miami Speedway is renowned among drivers and is often referred to as a “driver’s track” due to its unique characteristics. The variable banking, ranging from 18 degrees at the apron to 20 degrees near the wall, and its worn asphalt allow for multiple racing grooves, allowing drivers to showcase their talent. At nearly 170 mph, the stakes are high, and the racing will surely be thrilling.
Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 Zep Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing, is set to make his fourth Cup Series appearance at this storied venue. While his best Cup finish here is 17th, he carries a strong history from the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he has averaged a sixth-place finish across four starts, including a win in his last outing in 2020.
Briscoe’s journey at Homestead has been marked by determination. In a doubleheader weekend during the pandemic, he showcased resilience by recovering from an early setback to finish seventh in the first race and then winning the second. His success there began in 2017 when he dominated his only NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start, leading 81 laps and clinching his first victory in NASCAR’s top three series.
As Briscoe prepares for this weekend’s race, he reflects on the emotional weight of competing at Homestead, mainly as it is also Stewart-Haas Racing’s final year at the track. “It’s definitely reminiscent of that,” Briscoe said. “There’s a lot of emotion with the team ceasing to exist at the end of the year, but I’m excited to see what we can do.”
With Zep as his primary sponsor, Briscoe carries the blue-and-yellow colors this weekend, a fitting partnership given Zep’s reputation as a leading cleaning brand. “Whether it’s at the track or home, Zep is always close by,” Briscoe noted.
The race will also be heartwarming, as the Jett/Ellis Family will ride along with Briscoe, representing the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Their son, Ahmir, has faced significant health challenges, and the family credits the charity with helping them stay close during difficult times.
As the drivers prepare for the green flag, Briscoe remains optimistic despite his challenges in the Cup Series at Homestead. “I feel like it’s one of my better racetracks,” he shared. “Even though we haven’t had the finishes we wanted, we’ve had good speed.”
With Briscoe’s impressive track record in other series and the support of his team and sponsors, fans will be eager to see if he can turn past potential into performance in the Straight Talk Wireless 400. Tune in to NBC or catch the race on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio to witness this exciting chapter in NASCAR’s ongoing season.
