Briscoe Tops Final NASCAR Practice at Homestead

Chase Briscoe posted the fastest lap in the last Cup practice of 2026 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, ahead of Austin Cindric and Denny Hamlin.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Motorsports

Briscoe Tops Final NASCAR Practice at Homestead

Chase Briscoe turned a 32.680-second lap at 165.238 mph to lead the final NASCAR Cup practice of 2026 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Austin Cindric finished 0.073 seconds back, with Denny Hamlin third and Christopher Bell fourth.

Why it matters

The session sets the early speed picture for the season finale at a 1.5-mile track in Homestead, Florida. Several contenders also logged wall contact and a pit-road collision, which could affect preparation before qualifying.

Briscoe's lap of 32.680 seconds at 165.238 mph was the quickest of the session, with Cindric 0.073 seconds behind. Blaney led the 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-lap averages, while Cindric led the five-lap averages.

The players

Chase Briscoe

Chase Briscoe is a NASCAR Cup Series driver known for his road-course and short-track performances.

Tyler Reddick

Tyler Reddick is a NASCAR Cup Series driver who races the No. 45 car for 23XI Racing.

Zane Smith

Zane Smith is a NASCAR Cup Series driver who was struck by Tyler Reddick during a pit-road incident.

The details

Reddick damaged the nose of his No. 45 car when he struck the back of Zane Smith during a mock pit stop at pit entry, then spun out. Reddick said both drivers entered pit road too fast and Smith checked up hard, adding that cars turning into the garage contributed to the incident. Kyle Larson suffered slight right-side damage to his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and Joey Logano also made wall contact.

Friday, November 6, 2026: final NASCAR Cup practice of 2026 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Season Trajectory

Homestead-Miami Speedway has long closed the NASCAR Cup Series season, so practice speed here carries weight for championship-weekend positioning. Briscoe's quick lap and the cluster of contenders near the front make the early order for the finale a live question.

Qualifying and the championship race will be shaped by these practice results, so fantasy and betting lineups for the finale depend on who held pace here. Reddick's damaged nose cone and Larson's right-side damage are the practical items to track before the weekend's on-track sessions.

The takeaway

Practice speed at Homestead is a useful early signal, but qualifying and race trim will show who truly holds the advantage. Watch damage reports and pit-road discipline as the weekend progresses.