The show goes on! That’s the message NASCAR has sent to drivers, teams, and fans going into this weekend’s action at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. It seems like the Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series clashes are expected to continue as scheduled even though wildfires have burned over 24,000 acres near the city of Homestead, with only 30% of the fire being continued as things stand. For a sport that adopts a ‘safe than sorry’ approach to safety, the decision to go on under such conditions seems to be a bizarre one.
Naturally, fans are concerned about attending the upcoming races given the circumstances. Many are calling for a repeat of the 1998 Pepsi 400, which was postponed until fall due to wildfires. However, their pleas are falling on deaf ears, despite the smoke being visible from the 1.5-mile oval.
Is NASCAR gambling with Homestead-Miami Speedway weekend?
It all started on Monday afternoon in southern Miami-Dade County. Just like in California earlier this year, fire has engulfed large chunks of Southern Miami and the Upper Keys, bringing destruction to everything in its path. With no rain being forecasted, firefighters are working around the clock to contain the situation. But they’re facing a race against time as the race weekend is fast approaching, and the fire is dangerously close to Homestead-Miami Speedway.
However, NASCAR seems to have an optimistic appraisal of the situation, with FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass tweeting, “This wildfire is a few miles south of the track. It has not impacted preparations for the Homestead race weekend and the schedule is unchanged.” However, live videos and images from the racetrack paint a different picture entirely, as FOX NASCAR’s play-by-play reporter Jamie Little tweeted, “This is wild. Brush fires so close to the racetrack in Florida. Highway shutdown to The Keys. Hotel change for us.”
It seems bizarre that NASCAR is going ahead with the race weekend, especially as the smoke in the area could seriously affect the air quality. Warnings have already been issued by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue that windows will need to be rolled up and the air conditioners have to be set to recirculate when traveling to Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, the ongoing fire could also result in some major traffic delays, as there have been plenty of road closures ahead of the weekend.
This is wild. Brush fires so close to the racetrack in Florida. Highway shutdown to The Keys. Hotel change for us. https://t.co/jCxDXh4KfT
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) March 20, 2025
In 1998, the Pepsi 400 was due to be held at Daytona International Speedway on the Fourth of July. However, the race was postponed until fall because of wildfires in central Florida. While the circumstances are not as serious ahead of the race weekend, the situation could easily escalate in the following hours. It seems like history is repeating itself, but only this time NASCAR is remaining firm on its decision. With Homestead-Miami Speedway accommodating 46,000 fans, is the sanctioning body making the right decision by going ahead with the races? Time will tell.
Fans urge NASCAR to reschedule the race weekend
Naturally, fans are concerned about the wildfire close to the Homestead-Miami Speedway track. Unlike difficult weather conditions, circumstances such as these can lead to disastrous consequences, and many motorsports enthusiasts are rightly concerned for their lives ahead of the weekend’s racing action. Under the circumstances, an X user recommended that the “Race needs to be canceled.”
Several others echoed that sentiment, with one fan going on to say, “I don’t know why they just don’t reschedule the race.” A valid point, as many supporters won’t be able to make it to the track anyway.
The smoke from the wildfires is not ideal for an outdoor motorsports event, as fans are being urged to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Not only will traveling to Homestead-Miami Speedway prove to be difficult because of road closures and traffic jams, but there are also dangers involved in being so close to the flames. On that note, a fan wrote, “Seems like a smokey, smelly race. Should reschedule but NASCAR not concerned about fan experience.”
Drawing parallels with the 1998 Pepsi 400, another motorsports enthusiast went on to say, “I was in Daytona for the race that got cancelled due to the wild fires.”
A long-term NASCAR fan recalled how wildfires in Central Florida forced the Winston Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway to be postponed in 1998. Due to challenging circumstances, the event, originally slated for the Fourth of July, was rescheduled by the sanctioning body for October 17th. This made it the first superspeedway race ever held at night. Believing that history is repeating itself, an X user wrote, “Do you remember when the first planned night race at Daytona (Pepsi 400) got cancelled because of fires? I think it was 1998 or maybe earlier. Flames were on both sides of I-95 at Ornond Beach.” Given the escalating concerns and historical precedent, will NASCAR put fans’ safety first and reschedule, or will the race proceed amidst the looming threat of wildfires?
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