An instant classic, a thriller, everything you could want in a NASCAR race. Tyler Reddick also made his claim as an elite driver. His move on the last lap to pass not only Denny Hamlin but Ryan Blaney as well.
You don’t see races like Sunday’s very often. Homestead-Miami might be the perfect race track, especially when it comes to the Next Gen car.
Sadly, this means we have only two more weeks in the NASCAR season. But before we go on to Martinsville, let’s recap the weekend at Homestead-Miami.
Conner Jones puts Matt Mills in hospital with intentional wreck
The first big controversy of the NASCAR weekend at Homestead-Miami came in the Truck Series. Racing in the middle of the pack, Conner Jones put the bumper to Matt Mills and put him in the wall in retaliation for a block.
Mills’ truck caught on fire and he was enveloped in a cloud of smoke. He would later be hospitalized for smoke inhalation for two nights.
Grant Enfinger goes back-to-back for Championship 4
How about Grant Enfinger showing up in the NASCAR Playoffs? Enfinger has now won two races in a row in the Truck Series going back to Talladega.
With his ticket to Phoenix punched for the second year in a row, is Enfinger going to snag the trophy? The wily veteran is eyeing a huge upset.
Austin Hill advances to his first NASCAR Championship 4
Onto the Xfinity Series race, it was less dramatic. The racing was amazing, though. Enough minor cautions to keep it interesting and the best of the best racing one another on the big stage.
Austin Hill ended up on top in the end. His tire strategy lined up perfectly with how the race played out, and when he got the lead, he didn’t look back. First-ever Champ 4 trip for Hill.
Chandler Smith working construction in 2025?
After the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Chandler Smith had some shocking comments. His 2025 plans are not yet solidified despite having wins in the last two seasons.
Smith said that if he doesn’t make the championship to help make him more attractive to potential teams, he could be working construction with his dad in 2025. For an incredibly talented racer, it is surprising to hear.
Chase Elliott dodges danger on Lap 1
How about a little bit of a heart attack to start the Cup Series race? Justin Haley spun around going into Turn 2 on the first lap. Chase Elliott barely dodged him.
In fact, the entire field dodged Haley. Elliott would go on to lead a lot of laps and finish P5. He has to win at Martinsville to advance to Phoenix.
Kyle Larson has another Miami moment
When Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson get together at Homestead, pay attention. Last year it was the water barrels on pit road.
This season, Larson shot the gap between Blaney and Austin Dillon, a lapped car, and it didn’t stick. He went around and brought out a caution with 10 laps to go in the race.
Bees swarm NASCAR spotters, fans in the stands
While the race was going on on Sunday, the spotters and fans up near the spotters had a hell of a time. Bees and wasps swarmed the top of the stands and made it a nightmare on top.
Spotters were able to do their jobs, but it wasn’t easy. Fans were also uncomfortable with all of the bugs flying around and causing a commotion.
Tyler Reddick wins on last-lap pass to advance to Phoenix
We had so many leaders in this race, passes for the lead, and action throughout the field. With seven laps to go, a green flag run to end the race between Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney, fans were given a show.
Reddick passed both Hamlin and Blaney on the last lap. He did it on two laps older tires and made a move in the last corner that amazingly stuck to take the win.
After the finish, Michael Jordan was quickly on pit road and then on the track. He had to congratulate his driver for getting to the Championship 4 with a move for the ages.
“Little kid drove his ass off,” Jordan said on the TV broadcast. A line that will live forever in NASCAR history, if you ask me.
