Capping off a four race weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway in southern Florida on a hot humid Sunday afternoon, the NASCAR Cup Series runs the Dixie Vodka 400.

For many years Homestead-Miami meant the end of the NASCAR racing season and the crowning of a season champion.  With the changes NASCAR has made to the schedule, the race at Homestead-Miami becomes one of the spring races.

And for the first time in three months there will be fans in the stands!  NASCAR has invited 500 fans from Homestead Air Force base to bring a guest and enjoy the race from the grandstands on the front stretch.

Prior to coming to Miami, Austin Dillon and wife Whitney welcomed a new member to the family when their son Ace was born.  Dillon’s car owner and grandfather Richard Childress is a great grandfather.

After a random draw, Denny Hamlin will sit on the pole with Joey Logano sitting alongside on the front row.

The starting lineup for the Dixie Vodka 400:
Denny Hamlin
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Kyle Busch
Chase Elliott
Martin Truex Jr
Kevin Harvick
Alex Bowman
Jimmie Johnson
Kurt Busch
Ryan Blaney
Clint Bowyer
Chris Buescher
Ryan Newman
Erik Jones
Austin Dillon
Bubba Wallace
John Hunter Nemechek
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Matt Kenseth
Aric Almirola
William Byron
Matt DiBenedetto
Tyler Reddick
JJ Yeley
Corey LaJoie
Josh Bilicki
Brennan Poole
Joey Gase
Michael McDowell
Quin Houff
Ty Dillon
Ryan Preece
BJ McLeod
Cole Custer
Christopher Bell
Daniel Suarez
Timmy Hill

Stages one and two of the race are 80 laps each with stage three lasting 107 laps for a total of 267 laps around the mile and a half track.

Grammy Award winning Latin American artist Jon Secada sang the National Anthem for the race.

Former NFL head coach, NFL Hall of Fame member, and FOX Sports broadcaster Jimmy Johnson is the grand marshal for the race and gave the command to start engines.

Just as Jimmy Johnson was giving the command to start engines, a shower popped up around turn four and the track drying machines came out on the track, delaying the start of the race.

Homestead-Miami Speedway has named their turn three tunnel after retiring driver Jimmie Johnson.

After a delay of nearly an hour, NASCAR calls the drivers back to their cars.

And the cars are finally moving and are making pace laps on the now green track after the rain storm that moved through.

With a fuel load of 64 to 66 laps, the drivers cannot complete any of the stages without making at least one pit stop.

NASCAR has called for a competition caution on lap 25.

With the rain shower that passed through and dark skies above, the temperatures have dropped several degrees.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane but it is Joey Logano who gets out in front for the lead.  Drivers are getting four wide across the track.

Lap two, the top five are Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Martin Truex Jr.

NASCAR throws the yellow flag for lightening in the area.

And after five laps on the track, NASCAR puts out the red flag to stop the race and asks fans to clear the grandstands.

During the caution flag, Michael McDowell had a bird strike, causing some damage to his car.  His team will have some repairs to make to the car once the red flag is withdrawn.

A rainbow has appeared over the track as NASCAR waits out the lightening.  Each time a lightening strike occurs, the clock is reset to 30 minutes.  There can be no signs of any lightening for at least 30 minutes before any activity on the track can occur.

After a second delay of over an hour, NASCAR has called for the cars to be uncovered and the drivers to return to their cars.

NASCAR gives the order to fire engines for the third time at 6:18pm.  Once the cars get moving again, they will restart the race on lap six.

And just as the engines get fired, another lightening strike occurs, the engines are shut off and the waiting begins again.  The drivers again get out of their cars and they are recovered.

After a third delay of nearly 40 minutes, the drivers return to their cars for a fourth attempt to get the race underway once again.

At 7:05pm the caution car is on the track and the cars are again moving.

The heat of the day has gone with cloudy skies as the sun begins to work its way to the horizon.

The race was stopped for a total of two hours and eight minutes due to weather conditions…mostly lightening.

A few of the drivers have come down pit road for fresh tires.

Due to the current weather conditions, the FOX camera crew has not been cleared to return to their cameras on the roof; FOX must rely on ground and in car cameras, along with the robotic cameras.

Joey Logano finally gets the race going again when he brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap nine with Joey Logano edging out Denny Hamlin for the lead.

The top five are Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Martin Treux Jr, Chase Elliott, and Brad Keselowski.

Denny Hamlin challenges Joey Logano for the lead as the two swap back and forth.  Joey Logano holds on to his lead with Denny Hamlin in second and Brad Keselowski in third; Martin Truex Jr and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap 12, Brad Keselowski gets around Denny Hamlin for second place with Joey Logano leading the race with a half second lead.

All 38 drivers are still on the lead lap.

Lap 14, Joey Logano has a lead of over half a second on Brad Keselowski; Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.

After starting in 24th place, Tyler Reddick has moved up to seventh on lap 16.

Lap 17, Joey Logano continues to lead the race by over half a second on Brad Keselowski; Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 19, Brad Keselowski has closed the gap on leader Joey Logano to less than a quarter of a second.

The caution flag comes out on lap 21 for a spin out by Ryan Newman.  Newman takes his car directly down pit road with a flat tire.

NASCAR has announced that this will also serve as the competition caution.

Rim riding, Tyler Reddick has moved into the top five.

Ryan Newman’s pit stop was made before the pits were open; as a result, he will have to restart the race from the back of the field.

Seven drivers stayed out on the track.

Joey Logano wins the race off of pit road with Kevin Harvick out second.

Brennan Poole is the new leader after staying out on the track.

All drivers have made a pit stop putting Joey Logano back in the lead.

Ty Dillon was caught speeding on pit road.

Joey Logano brings the field down for the gren flag restart and holds on to his lead with Tyler Reddick in second.

Matt Kenseth had to make a second trip down pit road for a loose wheel.

Lap 26, Joey Logano is in the lead with Tyler Reddick just a third of a second back; Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap 28, with all 38 cars still on the lead lap, Joey Logano has a narrow lead on Chase Elliott; Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

Lap 30, Joey Logano has the lead but is getting a challenge from Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick.  Chase Elliott passes Joey Logano for the lead.

Lap 31, Tyler Reddick passes Joey Logano for second place.

Lap 32, Chase Elliott has a third of a second lead on Tyler Reddick; Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.

The caution flag comes out once again for lightening in the area.

At 7:31pm NASCAR puts out the red flag stopping the race for the fourth time after lightening has again stopped the race on lap 33.

After another red flag delay of half an hour, the drivers climb into their cars one more time as they prepare to get the race going once again.

And at 8:10pm NASCAR displays the yellow flag and the cars are moving once again.

Chase Elliott leads the field with Tyler Reddick starting alongside on the front row.

Drivers bring their cars down pit road for service.

Kevin Harvic, and Matt DiBenedetto have all had to make additional trips down pit road after a pit road altercations as drivers try to get in and out of their pit boxes.  Joey Logano was also involved but did not come down pit road.

Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney are on the front row and will bring the field to the green flag for the restart on lap 37 with Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney battling for the lead and swapping back and forth before Ryan Blaney finally takes the top spot with Elliott in second; Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Lap 42, Ryan Blaney has a half second lead on Chase Elliott; Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Erik Jones is reporting a possible loose wheel.

Tyler Reddick gets around Chase Elliott for second.

Lap 45, Ryan Blaney has a lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.

Lap 50, Ryan Blaney has a lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

Lap 56, Ryan Blaney holds on to his lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 60, Denny Hamlin has closed the gap on leader Ryan Blaney to just over a second; Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 61, Erik Jones makes an unscheduled trip down pit for with reports of a loose wheel.

There are 21 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 65, Ryan Blaney’s lead over Denny Hamlin is down to just half a second; Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 68, Denny Hamlin has caught up to leader Ryan Blaney.

Blaney is reporting a loose condition; adding that he can’t run up near the wall.

Lap 70, There are 29 cars on the lead lap with all 38 drivers still on the track.

Ryan Blaney continues to lead the race with Ryan Blaney riding in his trail less than half a second behind; Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

With five laps remaining in stage one, Denny Hamlin finally gets around Ryan Blaney to take the lead.  Three laps remain in stage one, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of nearly a second and a half on Ryan Blaney; Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and Aric Almirola round out the top five with 28 cars on the lead lap.

Denny Hamlin wins stage one after the longest stage run in NASCAR after multiple delays.  This is only Hamlin’s second stage win of the season.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Blaney
Tyler Reddick
Chase Elliott
Aric Almirola
Brad Keselowski
Alex Bowman
William Byron
Clint Bowyer
Chris Buescher

Jimmie Johnson has a roof flap issue that must be repaired which will cause an extended pit stop for the 48 team.

Denny Hamlin wins the race off of pit road with Chase Eliott out second and Ryan Blaney close behind.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two on lap 88 with Hamlin going nose to nose with Chase Elliott for the lead.

Lap 89, Chase Elliott gets out in front for the lead with Ryan Blaney in second and Denny Hamlin in third; Alex Bowman and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.

Lap 90, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott battle for the lead with Blaney getting out in front; Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron round out the top five.

Lap 92, Chase Elliott challenges Ryan Blaney for the lead but Blaney holds on to the top spot.

Lap 93, Ryan Blaney leads the race; Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 97, Ryan Blaney has a near one second lead on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 100, Ryan Blaney has pulled out to a lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Alex Bowman round out the top five with 29 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 105, Ryan Blaney has a lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Denny Hamlin is very slowly eating into Ryan Blaney’s lead of over a second and a half.

Lap 110, Ryan Blaney holds on to his lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick William Byron, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Lap 112, Ryan Blaney’s lead over Denny Hamlin is now down to just under a second and a half as green flag pit stops approach.

Lap 116, Denny Hamlin has cut Ryan Blaney’s lead to just over half a second.

Lap 119, Ryan Newman is the first driver to make a green flag pit stop and begin the cycle of stops.

Lap 121, Ryan Blaney’s lead is nearly three seconds on Tyler Reddick as green flag pit stops continue

Lap 122, Ryan Blaney makes his pit stop, giving the lead over the Tyler Reddick.

Lap 122, Tyler Reddick makes his green flag pit stop giving the lead over to Ryan Preece.

Denny Hamlin is the new leader when Ryan Preece makes his pit stop.  Hamlin has a lead of over two seconds on Ryan Blaney.

Lap 126, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over a second and a half on Ryan Blaney; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 130, Denny Hamlin has a lead of nearly two seconds on Ryan Blaney; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.

Lap 133, all 38 drivers are still out on the track with 26 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 134, Denny Hamlin has increased his lead on Ryan Blaney to over two seconds; but third place driver Tyler Reddick is slowly closing the gap which is now under five seconds.

Lap 137, Denny Hamlin continues to increase his lead on Ryan Blaney which is now two and a half seconds; but Tyler Reddick has closed his gap on Hamlin to under four seconds.

Lap 140, Denny Hamlin leads the race; Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and William Byron round out the top five.

Lap 145, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of over three and a half seconds on Ryan Blaney; Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and William Byron round out the top five.  Tyler Reddick is on Ryan Blaney’s bumper and challenging for the second spot.

Josh Bilicki is off the track with 22 cars on the lead lap.

With eleven laps remaining in stage two, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a near five second lead on Ryan Blaney; Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, and William Byron round out the top five.

Eight laps remain in stage two, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over five seconds on Tyler Reddick; Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron round out the top five.

Six laps remain in stage two, Denny Hamlin has a five second lead on Tyler Reddick.

With a lead of five seconds, Denny Hamlin wins stage two for the stage sweep.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Denny Hamlin
Tyler Reddick
Chase Elliott
Ryan Blaney
William Byron
Alex Bowman
Martin Truex Jr
Austin Dillon
Kyle Busch
Aric Almirola

Drivers bring their cars down pit road for service with Denny Hamlin winning the race off of pit road with Chase Elliott getting out second.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 168 and jumps out in front of Chase Elliott to take the lead; Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and William Byron round out the top five.

The caution flag comes out on lap 170 for contact between Joey Logano and Ryan Newman.

Most of the drivers come down pit road for fresh tires and service.  Denny Hamlin edges out Chase Elliott to win the race off of pit road.

Austin Dillon was charged with an uncontrolled tire on pit road.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart on Lap 175 with Chase Elliott starting alongside on the front row.  Denny Hamlin jumps out in front of Chase Elliott for the lead.

The top five are Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick.

With 90 lpas remaining in the race, Denny Hamlin is out in front with the lead; Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron rounding out the top five.  Drivers are getting three wide across the track as they battle for position.

Lap 178, Chase Elliott nad Tyler Reddick battle for position.

Lap 180, Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Ryan Blaney; Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron round out the top five.  There are 26 cars on the lead lap.  Josh Bilicki is back on the track 17 laps down.

Lap 185, Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Ryan Blaney; Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron round out the top five.

Lap 190, Denny Hamlin holds on to his half second lead on Ryan Blaney; Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

Lap 193, Ryan Blaney passes Denny Hamlin to take the lead; Chase Elliott Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

Lap 194, Denny Hamlin retakes the lead but Chase Elliott has caught up to the two drivers and passes Blaney for second.

With 72 laps remaining in the race, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney battle for second with Denny Hamlin in front for the lead.

Lap 200, Denny Hamlin has a third of a second lead on Chase Elliott with Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola rounding out the top five.  There are 26 cars on the lead lap.

At 39, Denny Hamlin is the oldest driver in the top 10.

Lap 207, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of nearly a second on Chase Elliott.

Kevin Harvick has to make an unscheduled trip down pit road for a flat tire.

Chris Buescher also has to make a pit stop for a flat tire.

Alex Bowman is the first driver to make his green flag pit stop as green flag pit stops are looming in the next handful of laps.

With 55 laps to go, Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Chase Elliott; Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

With 53 laps remaining in the race, Chase Elliott is closing in on leader Denny Hamlin; Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Erik Jones round out the top five.

With 50 laps to go, Chase Elliott becomes the first driver in the lead pack to make his green flag pit stop.

Leader Denny Hamlin comes down pit road with 49 laps to go; Tyler Reddick is the new leader.

Tyler Reddick makes his pit stop giving the lead over to Kyle Busch.

Kyle Busch makes his pit top and gives the lead over to Matt Kenseth.

Once pit stops cycle through, Chase Elliott is the new leader with a lead over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin.

With 42 laps remaining in the race, Chase Elliott has a lead of over a second on Denny Hamlin; Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.  Seventh place driver Matt Kenseth has yet to make his pit stop.

With 38 laps remaining in the race, Matt Kenseth has finally made his pit stop.  Chase Elliott has a lead of nearly a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.  There are 23 cars on the lead lap.

Leader Chase Elliott is reporting a tight condition on his car.

With 35 laps to go, Denny Hamlin has closed the gap on Denny Hamlin to within a few car lengths on Chase Elliott.

Ryan Newman had to make a trip down pit road after getting the black flag from NASCAR.

Thirty to go, Chase Elliott has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

With Joey Logano blocking the way, Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin battle it out for the lead with Denny Hamlin taking the top spot as Joey Logano goes another lap down.

Twenty seven to go, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott continue to battle for the lead with Hamlin in front.

Currently two seconds back in third, Ryan Blaney is running the fastest speeds on the track.

Only 24 laps remain in the race with Denny Hamlin out in front; Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Aric Almirola rounding out the top five.

With 19 laps to go, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of nearly a second on Chase Elliott; Ryan Blaney is now a second and a half back in third, Tyler Reddick and Aric Almirola round out the top five.  There are 19 cars on the lead lap.

Sixteen to go, Chase Elliott has caught up to ;leader Denny Hamlin as the drivers begin to encounter lapped traffic.

Thirteen to go, Ryan Blaney is less than a second behind Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott and threatening to make it a three way battle for the lead.

Ten to go, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over half a second on Chase Elliott with Ryan Blaney another half second back; Tyler Reddick and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

Nine to go, Tyler Reddick has caught Ryan Blaney as they battle for third.  Ryan Blaney holds on to the spot.

Erik Jones has to make a stop on pit road for a flat tire.

Seven to go, Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Chase Elliott.

Five to go, Denny Hamlin continues to lead the race with Chase Elliott a quarter of a second back.  Chase Elliott brushes the wall and Ryan Blaney battles him for second while Denny Hamlin pulls away to a lead of over a second.

Denny Hamlin takes the white flag.

And some seven hours after the start of the race, Denny Hamlin becomes the first driver this season to win both stages and the race to notch his 40th career win.  This is Hamlin’s third Cup Series win this season.

Fifteen driver finished the race on the lead lap.

The unofficial results of the Dixie Vodka 400:
Denny Hamlin
Chase Elliott
Ryan Blaney
Tyler Reddick
Aric Almirola
Kyle Busch
Austin Dillon
Christopher Bell
William Byron
Brad Keselowski
Clint Bowyer
Martin Truex Jr
Bubba Wallace
Matt DiBenedetto
Michael McDowell
Jimmie Johnson
Kurt Busch
Alex Bowman
John Hunter Nemechek
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Erik Jones
Cole Custer
Chris Buescher
Ryan Preece
Matt Kenseth
Kevin Harvick
Joey Logano
Ty Dillon
Corey LaJoie
Ryan Newman
Daniel Suarez
Brennan Poole
Quin Houff
Timmy Hill
BJ McLeod
Joey Gase
Josh Bilicki
JJ Yeley