NASCAR has always been considered a southern sport with southern roots.

Late in the previous century, however, the southern thing was taken to extremes, as NASCAR went south of south, pretty much as car south as you can go on the mainland U.S. of A. — Homestead, Fla., so far south you have to nearly an hour north to get to Miami's South Beach.

It's common for some drivers and team members to head south a day or two early, then keep heading south, leaving the mainland for the Florida Keys for a little R&R before firing the engines and getting back to business.

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Not sure how many, if any, of the eight playoff racers will consider that little side trip, because there's a lot on the line as the Round of 8 reaches the second of three races, as the whittling continues toward the championship race at Phoenix in a little over two weeks.

Let's take a look at the weekend TV schedule from Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Friday: Xfinity action, but only on the NBC app

4:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series practice and qualifying (NBC Sports app).

Saturday: All NASCAR circuits hit the Homestead track

9 a.m.: Cup Series practice and qualifying (NBC Sports app).

Noon: Truck Series, Baptist Health 200 (FS1).

4 p.m.: Xfinity Series, Credit One 300 (CW).

Sunday: NASCAR playoffs continue

2:30 p.m.: Cup Series, Straight Talk Wireless 400 (NBC).

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR on TV, time and channel at Homestead-Miami for playoff race