The NASCAR race weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway is continuing on as scheduled despite grass fires that have burned more than 24,000 acres in the area, the city of Homestead, Florida released in a statement on Thursday.
The fire is 30% contained, according to the city’s statement, and is visible from the race track. US Highway 1, one of two main highways near the track, is closed for a stretch due to visibility issues, and a health advisory has been issued for the area.
NASCAR racing is scheduled to begin on Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with the Craftsman Truck Series running practice and qualifying in the afternoon before a 200-mile race on Friday evening.
The fire has been visible since Tuesday, with the city releasing periodical updates since then.
NASCAR on FOX commentator Jamie Little, who will be on the call for the Truck Series race on Friday, tweeted on Thursday that she had to change hotels due to the fires and visibility near the track.
NASCAR adjusted Homestead-Miami’s place on the schedule this season after a couple seasons as a playoff race in October. Homestead-Miami was the longtime home of the championship race weekend in November before a change in 2020.
Homestead-Miami Speedway is located in south Miami-Dade County, Florida, about 30 miles south of downtown Miami.
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