2017 Ford EcoBoost 400

The 2017 Ford EcoBoost 400 was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on November 19, 2017, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. Contested over 267 laps on the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) oval, it was the 36th and final race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

Background
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a motor racing track located in Homestead, Florida. The track, which has several configurations, has promoted several series of racing, including NASCAR, the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the Championship Cup Series.

Since 2002, Homestead-Miami Speedway has hosted the final race of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series. Ford Motor Company sponsors all three of the season-ending races; the races have the names Ford EcoBoost 400, Ford EcoBoost 300 and Ford EcoBoost 200, respectively, and the weekend is marketed as Ford Championship Weekend. The Xfinity Series (then known as the Busch Series) has held its season-ending races at Homestead since 1995.

Championship drivers
Kyle Busch was the first of the four drivers to clinch a spot in the Championship 4, winning the first race of the Round of 8 at Martinsville.

Kevin Harvick clinched the second spot in the Championship 4, winning the second race of the Round of 8 at Texas.

Martin Truex Jr. clinched the third spot in the Championship 4 after the Texas race based on points.

Brad Keselowski clinched the final spot based on points after the Phoenix race.

First practice
Kyle Busch was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 31.269 seconds and a speed of 172.695 mph.

Qualifying
Denny Hamlin scored the pole for the race with a time of 31.038 and a speed of 173.980 mph.

Second practice
Denny Hamlin was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 31.555 seconds and a speed of 171.130 mph.

Final practice
Martin Truex Jr. was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 31.543 seconds and a speed of 171.195 mph.

Start
Denny Hamlin led the field to the green flag at 3:05 p.m., Martin Truex Jr. took the lead on lap 1, The first caution of the race flew on lap 6 for a single-car wreck by Joey Gase, Corey LaJoie won the free pass under caution.

The race restarted on lap 10.

Kyle Larson dominated the first stage, leading 68 of the 80 laps and winning the stage over Brad Keselowski. The other Final Four contenders also were strong, with Kyle Busch finishing third, Kevin Harvick fourth and Martin Truex Jr. fifth. Truex was the only other driver leading laps (12) in the stage, The second caution of the race flew on lap 82 for conclusion of the first stage.

Stage 2
The race restarted on lap 87 and it remained green for 56 laps, Danica Patrick’s career as a full-time driver ended on lap 142 when her car hit the outside wall in turn two after blowing a right-rear tire. Kasey Kahne ran into the rear of Patrick’s car. The result was the race’s third caution. Patrick, who climbed out of her car as a small fire in the right front caused smoke, plans to compete in only the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 next season.

The race restarted on lap 151.

Kyle Larson made it a sweep of stages one and two by leading Martin Truex Jr. to the end of the second stage. Completing the top five were Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski, The fourth caution of the race flew on lap 162 for conclusion of the second stage.

Final stage
The race restarted on lap 166 and it remained green for 66 laps, The fifth caution of the race flew on lap 229 for a single-car wreck in turn 4 by Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman won the free pass under caution.

The race restarted on lap 234.

Martin Truex Jr. finally has his championship.

After taking the lead on Lap 216 of a scheduled 267, Truex, whose career has seen major valleys, has hit the highest peak.

He outpointed 2012 champion Brad Keselowski, 2014 titlist Kyle Busch and 2015 victor Kyle Busch to win his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Post race
"I don't even know what to say," an emotional Truex said upon emerging from his car. "We never gave up all day — don't know how we won that thing. ... I can't believe it. I've thought of this since I was a little kid. Never give up on your dreams, no matter what happens"

Stage results
Stage 1 Laps: 80

Stage 2 Laps: 80

Final stage results
Laps: 107

Race statistics

 * Lead changes: 4 among different drivers
 * Cautions/Laps: 5 for 26
 * Red flags: 0
 * Time of race: 3 hours, 2 minutes, 11 seconds
 * Average speed: 131.900 mph

Television
NBC covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race. While the race itself aired on NBC, NBCSN aired NBCSN NASCAR Hot Pass, a simultaneous live feed dedicated to each of the Championship drivers, with commentary by Leigh Diffey and Dale Jarrett. Also, three different angles from in-car cameras and a track map tracked the driver's position and changes throughout the field.

Radio
MRN had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Standings after the race

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Manufacturers' Championship standings
 * Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.