As South Florida battles a massive grass fire, NASCAR fans have been on edge about whether the upcoming Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be affected.
The fire, which had burned nearly 14,000 acres as of Wednesday night, has local emergency teams on high alert. However, in a post on X, the City of Homestead and Homestead police confirmed the race weekend will go on as scheduled — at least for now.
Fire Continues to Burn, Raising Safety Concerns
The huge brush fire started in southwest Miami-Dade County and has been burning since Tuesday, fueled by dry, windy, and marshy conditions. Firefighters have been working around the clock to get it under control but have only managed to contain about 20% so far.
NBC Miami reported that the fire may have been sparked by an all-terrain or off-road vehicle, but the investigation is still ongoing. Crews have brought in three helicopters and a large aircraft to drop water on the fire to help slow it down.
Because of the heavy smoke, the City of Homestead put out an advisory warning people — especially those with breathing problems — to limit outdoor activities. They also asked drivers to avoid going through smoky areas with windows down and to keep air conditioning set to recirculate. Some areas saw reduced visibility, raising air quality concerns heading into the weekend.
Homestead-Miami Speedway Ready to Host NASCAR Weekend
Even with the wildfire still burning, Homestead officials and local police assured fans the NASCAR race will continue as planned. In a statement, they said there are no current threats to the racetrack or nearby areas but added they will keep watching the situation closely and share any updates right away.
The City of Homestead & Homestead Police are Closely monitoring the fire. Health: Limit outdoor exposure if needed. Traffic: US 1 may close intermittently; Card Sound Rd remains closed. The NASCAR events at the Homestead Miami Speedway continues. #TeamHomestead pic.twitter.com/qMHPkt62Lp
— City of Homestead (@CityofHomestead) March 19, 2025
For now, NASCAR teams and fans can move forward with plans for the Straight Talk Wireless 400, which is expected to bring thousands to the Homestead area. While the fire remains serious, emergency crews are working hard to contain it and keep everyone safe.
Fans should stay updated on the weather and watch for any new advisories from local officials. If the fire gets worse or changes direction, last-minute schedule changes are still possible. But for now, it’s full speed ahead for a big NASCAR weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.