All three of NASCAR’s top series headed south to the Homestead-Miami Speedway last weekend as the meat of the regular, pre-playoff season rolls on. This is the time of the year when the contenders for a playoff spot begin to take shape, as well as who is setting themselves up for a record season.
Here are the best of the underdogs from Homestead!
Craftsman Truck Series | Baptist Health 200
Brandon Jones (#1 TRICON Garage Toyota): While Xfinity Series regular Brandon Jones did not set the world on fire in his series return, the No.1 team had a solid day in Miami. Jones started his Kingsford-backed Toyota from the 11th spot, and wrapped up the race in 12th spot. Not only was Jones the top finishing TRICON entry, but this was Jones first series start since the 2020 season.
Stefan Parsons (#20 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet): Journeyman driver Parsons made his first Truck Series start of the year in Miami for Young’s Motorsports. Jumping in their #20 Chevrolet, Parsons gave the under-funded team one of their best runs in some time. Parsons rolled off in 22nd, and finished the race in 18th in the #20 teams 2025 debut.
Luke Fenhaus (#66 ThorSport Racing Ford): Returning to ThorSport’s #66 Ford this year for a partial schedule, Fenhaus again flexed his talents as his career continues to grow. Bringing sponsor Soda Sense on board, Fenhaus finished 20th in his third start this season.
Fenhaus also ran three races for the team in 2024 with two top ten finishes, and has been a force in the ARCA Menards regional series’ for several seasons.
Xfinity Series | Xfinity Series Race at Homestead-Miami
Nick Sanchez (#48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet): Series rookie Sanchez had yet another strong showing in Homestead with the #48 team. The Big Machine entry started the race third, with Sanchez finishing a solid 8th. Currently, Sanchez is emerging as the favorite for rookie of the year, with one top five and and three top tens in the first half dozen races.
Justin Bonsignore (#19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota): Typically, one of the powerhouse JGR entries would not normally be considered for this series, Homestead can be considered an exception. A standout for years in NASCAR’s late model series, the 1.5 mile oval in Miami is one of the biggest tracks Bonsignore has raced on in his career.
While it was not without incident, Bonsignore finished a respectable 16th after rolling off 7th. The 2024 Whelen Modified Series champ has only two other career series starts, with one other in 2025 at Daytona.
Anthony Alfredo (#42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet): Alfredo and the Young’s Motorsports Xfinity team continued to build their relationship this season in Homestead. Alfredo started his Chevrolet in the 25th spot and placed 18th by races end. With this being the first year for team and driver together, Alfredo has the experience with minimal budget teams to quietly build a solid season for both.
Cup Series | Straight Talk Wireless 400
A.J. Allmendinger (#16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet): With Allmendinger returning to full-time Cup competition with Kaulig this season, Homestead had to have been marked on the team’s schedule. Allmendinger and Homestead have always had a good relationship, and this rang true in 2025 with a 7th place finish. In 14 career starts at Homestead, the ‘Dinger has an average finish of 14th.
Erik Jones (#43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota): The 2025 season has not gone as hoped for Jones and his #43 LMC team, but Homestead may be a step in the right direction. Earning his best finish since Daytona, Jones wheeled his #43 entry to a 15th place finish, after a 28th place qualifying effort. In a season marred with bad luck, Jones’ Homestead run can be considered a highlight in the young season.
Noah Gragson (#4 Front Row Motorsports Ford): The 2025 Cup campaign is yet again a building year for Gragson, as he was a late addition to the newly-expanded FRM team. Homestead represented a peak in the roller coaster of finishes thus far, with Gragson racing his Ford to a 16th place finish. Gragson also has a top ten finish at COTA earlier in the season.
