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Homestead updates status of NASCAR weekend amid fires

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/19/25•

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Bees Homestead-Miami 4EVER 400
Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

As a brush fire burns in Homestead, Florida, the city is still preparing to host NASCAR this weekend. Officials announced the Cup Series events are still on as scheduled at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The fires began Tuesday in far south Miami-Dade County, according to Local 10 News. As of Wednesday night, 14,000 acres had been burned and firefighters had 20% of the flames contained, the Florida Fire Service said. Dry air and marshy conditions are part of the reason for the rough conditions.

All the while, NASCAR is preparing to make its way to Homestead for the Straight Talk Wireless 400. As of Wednesday night, the race and the weekend events are still a go, officials say.

“The City of Homestead and Homestead Police are closely monitoring the fire with emergency teams to ensure public safety. … NASCAR: The Homestead Miami Speedway events will continue as scheduled,” the city said in a release.

In its release Wednesday evening, the City of Homestead encouraged those with respiratory conditions to limit their outdoor exposure. If anyone has to drive through the smoke, the city said to keep windows closed and use the air conditioning on recirculation mode.

So far, no injuries have been reported, according to the city. Three helicopters and a large aircraft have also been helping drop water onto the fire.

“The fire is large, but it’s probably going to get bigger,” said Kevin MacEwen of the Florida Forest Service, via Local 10 News. “We’re right here in between Miami and Key Largo, the ocean’s right there, and it’s very soft, very difficult. So we have to use a lot of air resources and existing boundaries and natural barriers to check up the fire. And we just ask everyone to be, just, patient.”

Kyle Larson preparing for tripleheader at Homestead

The NASCAR weekend at Homestead could also be a big weekend for Kyle Larson. He’s attempting to run in all three races – the truck series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series.

“I guess you can consider it a bucket list sort of thing,” Larson said of winning all three races on a Zoom call shared by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. “I think it’s just a really tough feat to do it, and I think Kyle Busch is maybe the only one who’s done it, and he’s done it multiple times at Bristol. So to join him in something like that would be pretty special.”

Larson, one of the most prolific drivers in NASCAR, has already accomplished some truly historic things. Just last year he attempted a feat that was up there with any of them when he tried to run a double with the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600.

Thomas Goldkamp contributed.