NASCAR Update: Oct. 19

The NASCAR Cup Series is returning to Florida for the final time of the 2023 season.

This weekend, Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts the 4EVER 400 Presented by Mobil 1, the only trip to the track this season.

The previous week’s race at Las Vegas saw Kyle Larson win his way into the Championship 4, beating Christopher Bell to the line.

The win meant a Las Vegas sweep for Hendrick Motorsports, as William Byron won the track’s spring race, in which Larson finished second.

As for the rest of the playoff field, Byron, Martin Truex Jr., and Denny Hamlin sit behind Larson in the standings above the elimination line. Behind them are Bell, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher.

In Vegas, Blaney was disqualified following the race, after a NASCAR ruling on his left-front shock. However, the disqualification was rescinded when NASCAR discovered an issue with its inspection template.

As a result, Blaney remains well in the championship battle, and his valuable sixth-place finish stood. However, 17 points behind elimination, the No. 12 car will need to keep up the good results to have a chance at the championship trophy.

The Homestead race is the second of the Round of 8, with the following week at Martinsville Speedway being the final chance to advance to the Championship 4.

Larson immediately enters strong, as he won Homestead’s only race last year. He also has four other finishes of fifth or better at the track.

Hamlin also has had a strong career at Homestead. The No. 11 driver has three wins at the track, most recently in 2020, where he also won from pole position.

Another win would give Hamlin yet another shot at his first championship.

Truex finally ended his forgettable seven-race stretch in Vegas with a ninth-place finish. He is also a Homestead winner, having done so to win his 2017 title.

Only two points above the elimination line, Truex could have a chance to keep his position safe this week.

Reddick has a chance to advance to the Championship 4 for the first time.

The 23XI driver finished fourth and second in his first two career Homestead starts before an accident ended his 2022 effort. Still, with his recent pace, he appears to be well in the mix at a track he’s proven to be strong at.

Elsewhere in NASCAR, the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series are also racing at Homestead this week. The Truck Series race will determine its own Championship 4, where Corey Heim is already locked in.

Currently behind Heim above the elimination line are Carson Hocevar, Christian Eckes and Nicholas Sanchez.

All playoff drivers have an opportunity at Homestead to get closer to a championship trophy.

Logan Groeneveld-Meijer is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lsg5237@psu.edu.