NASCAR: 2024 Homestead playoff qualifying updates, full starting lineup

As a die-hard NASCAR fan with decades of trackside experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel the adrenaline pumping as we approach the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway! The thrill of the playoffs and the unpredictable nature of group qualifying formats only add to the excitement.

Among the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoff schedule, there are three events that do not feature regular season races. Interestingly, Homestead-Miami Speedway stands out as the sole oval track among these exceptional three.

In 2022, the one and a half mile (2.414 kilometer) oval track located in Homestead, Florida, which previously held the Championship 4 race until Phoenix Raceway took over in 2020, returned to the four-round, 10-race playoff schedule. During this schedule, it served as the race in the middle of the round of 8 events.

The starting grid for this afternoon’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 on Sunday will be decided using a group qualifying system, where the groups and their respective qualifying orders are based on a four-factor measurement system used by NASCAR since 2020.

A full breakdown of that formula can be found here.

Only four playoff drivers from the remaining eight won’t be considered in the calculation until all other drivers have been assigned to their groups. This ensures that these four drivers don’t qualify before the end of the list, and that each group contains exactly four drivers.

In the current setup, the quickest five racers from each group move forward to the next stage, which is a shift from last year’s format at Homestead where the second round remained individual. However, due to an unexpected rule modification announced in June, this year’s second round will also be divided into groups.

Under this new regulation, the position of the second quickest qualifier no longer guarantees them a front row start. However, a driver could potentially line up on the front row if their speed ranks as low as sixth.

NASCAR at Homestead: Full starting lineup

Check back for a full starting lineup

Group A – Advanced

Group B – Advanced

Tune into NBC this Sunday, October 27th starting at 2:30 p.m. ET as they broadcast the Straight Talk Wireless 400 live from Homestead-Miami Speedway. The current champion, Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing, is defending his title in this race. Don’t miss out on any of the excitement! Start your FuboTV free trial now to catch all the action!

2024-10-26 16:32