Only Four drivers have run all 14 races at HMS: there are only four drivers who have competed in all 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Homestead: #14-Tony Stewart, #24-Jeff Gordon, #31-Jeff Burton and #47-Bobby Labonte.(11-18-2012)

Homestead starts refer a fan program: Homestead-Miami Speedway announced its Refer A Fan program where ticket purchasers receive benefits when they refer an individual who also purchases tickets to the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race, the Ford EcoBoost 400 (Nov. 17). The incentive, available to any fan that has purchased tickets for the Ford EcoBoost 400, automatically activates when a new purchaser provides the account number of an existing seat holder at the time of purchase. More info at homesteadmiamispeedway.com/referafan or by calling the Homestead-Miami Speedway Ticket Sales department at 305.230.5255.(HMS)(3-26-2013)

ISC reports dip in profits: International Speedway Corp. saw a year-over-year decline in both its 2012 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings and revenues, but the narrowing of the revenue decline for its core business operations to less than 1 percent has company officials encouraged. "We experienced leading signs of revenue stabilization this year," stated Lesa France Kennedy, ISC's chief executive officer, in both a news release and Thursday morning conference call with stock analysts. ISC, which operates Daytona International Speedway and a dozen other tracks around that country that host NASCAR races and other motorsports events, generated a net profit of roughly $54.6 million for its fiscal year, which ended Nov. 30, down from $69.4 million in fiscal 2011, and a fourth-quarter net profit of about $24.7 million, down from $26.5 million the same period the previous year. Its revenues totaled $612.3 million in 2012, down from $629.7 million in 2011, and in the fourth quarter it generated $189.4 million in sales, down from $191.9 million the same period the previous year. Kennedy said ISC had year-over-year increases in both revenues from broadcast fees, corporate sponsorships and food, beverage and merchandise sales at races, but "we continue to experience modest headwinds with admissions, not to the degree experienced in 2011, but enough to know we still have further inroads to make with our consumer."(full article at the Daytona Beach News-Journal)(1-25-2013)

Homestead to host Tough Mudder: One of the most intense endurance challenges is coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway March 2-3, 2013. Tough Mudder, a 10- to 12-mile obstacle course challenge that involves diving into ice-cold water, crawling through mud and running through bursts of fire, will make a stop in South Florida. Homestead-Miami Speedway will be invaded by thousands of runners who will be negotiating a course patterned after British Special Forces training methods. Runners will barrel through mud holes, army crawl under barbed wire and plunge into frigid ice water completing a total of 20-25 obstacles constructed across portions of the 640-acre facility. For between $95 and $200, anyone at least 18 years of age who is willing to sign a waiver can hurl themselves over walls, under half-submerged obstacles, into the grip of 10,000 volts of electricity and other challenges spread throughout the course. The series included 35 events in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia in 2012, and 52 events are planned for 2013 including the March event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. More than 460,000 participants worldwide took part in Tough Mudder events in 2012, raising $4 million for the Wounded Warrior Project. People are encouraged to form teams and start together. The Homestead-Miami Speedway meet is the first ever in South Florida. Registration closes February 25. Click on the following link to register: toughmudder.com.(HMS)(1-14-2013)

Homestead Staff Visits South Florida Hospitals Wednesday: Homestead-Miami Speedway employees hit the road today spreading holiday cheer to children in Homestead and Florida City, as Speedway staff delivered gifts to South Florida children in what has become an annual holiday season tradition for track representatives. The first stop was PATCHES medical center in Florida City, a state-licensed, non-profit facility staffed by pediatric nurses, certified teachers, and respiratory and rehab therapists that provide daily treatment to children with extreme medical needs, as well as education for care-giving parents. Treating children from birth through age 21, PATCHES is an alternative to in-patient hospital care and more-isolated home care. In advance of the visit, PATCHES provided Homestead-Miami Speedway staffers a list of the children's names and ages so Speedway employees could personalize the holiday gifts purchased for the event. The Speedway "elves" helped Santa Claus distribute the gifts to each youngster, each who was anxiously waiting to receive a present. Pit stop No. 2 on the Homestead-Miami holiday shuttle was Homestead Hospital, where Speedway staffers made the rounds of each occupied room in the "Speediatrics" children's ER unit to present patients with gifts tailored to age and gender.
NOTABLE QUOTES: "It is easy to forget many of our kids at this time of year," said PATCHES CEO Kyle Smith. "Homestead-Miami Speedway providing gifts to these children is truly a blessing. It really means a lot to us that the Speedway and the community support us."
"It is an honor to be welcomed back each year by both Homestead Hospital and PATCHES because being sick around the holidays is hard for anyoneespecially for young children and their families," said Matt Becherer, president of Homestead-Miami Speedway. "The fiercely dedicated staffs at these care facilities should be commended for their year-round commitment to improving the health and livelihood of children experiencing challenging times. Our Speedway staff is truly humbled to be invited for yet another year to spread a little joy to these children during the holiday season."
"Homestead-Miami Speedway exemplifies the spirit of giving not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year," said Bill Duquette, CEO of Homestead Hospital. "Over the years, they have brought many smiles to the faces of our young patients and their families. For that we are grateful."(HMS)(12-13-2012)

Kid Rock to perform at Ford EcoBoost 400: Multi-platinum selling American rock star Kid Rock will be performing a live set prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship Ford EcoBoost 400 next Sunday (Nov. 18) at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In addition to the pre-race show, Kid Rock will serve as the celebrity pace car driver and, together with the track, offer a ticket package that includes:
· One premium Grandstand ticket to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship Ford EcoBoost 400
· One pre-race Pit Pass that includes stageside access for the show
· A digital download of his new album "Rebel Soul," set to drop the day after the race  Monday, November 19.
The ticket package is available now via homesteadmiamispeedway.com/kidrock or by calling 305.230 5255.(HMS)(11-15-2012)

Trio of Television Stars Headline Ford Championship Weekend: It is an impressive line-up of talent for Ford Championship Weekend, both on and off the track. Pre-race ceremonies at Homestead-Miami Speedway feature a variety of regional and national talent. The 2012 finalist on NBC's "The Voice" Chris Mann will perform the National Anthem on Sunday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400. CEO of The World Famous West Coast Customs Ryan Friedlinghaus will wave the green flag for Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series Ford EcoBoost 300 as the Honorary Starter.
Johnathan Hillstrand Captain of F/V Time Bandit featured on Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" will utter the most famous words in racing  "Drivers, start your engines," as Grand Marshal for the Ford EcoBoost 400. Kid Rock's performance on Sunday's pre-race stage will begin at 1:00 p.m. Driver introductions for Sunday's championship race will be handled by Bruce Buffer, the "Veteran Voice of the Octagon," for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Ford's Global Car and Crossover Group Marketing Manager Amy Marentic will serve as Grand Marshall for the Ford EcoBoost 300. Rock Ridge Music Recording Artist Chelsea Bain is performing the National Anthem on Saturday (HMS). For a loste of the Sprint Cup Series race dignataries, see my Homestead Race Info page.(11-15-2012)

Ford EcoBoost 400 winner to recieve a boat: Homestead-Miami Speedway is again giving away a uniquely South Florida "trophy" to its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 race winner. It's a Bay Boat, built by Homestead-based Contender Boats. The high-performance boat features a twin stepped hull design, a first in the industry for inshore boats. Powered with a 250 horsepower Yamaha four stroke engine, the winner will be able to carry their love for speed to the water.
New for 2012: World-famous artist Guy Harvey has designed a wrap for the boat that features checkered flags, sailfish and marlin. All 43 drivers in the Ford EcoBoost 400 field will have a chance to win the prize boat. "We are excited to be involved with this iconic race again this year, and now to have an industry friend involved with the trophy boat makes it even better," said Contender Boats Director of Marketing Les Stewart Jr. "The winner truly is taking home a piece of south Florida."
"Our relationship with Contender Boats started in 2011, and now includes another natural in Guy Harvey," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. "It's fantastic to bring together these two uniquely South Florida entities that have collaborated to design and outfit this one-of-a-kind boat for our race winner."
In addition to the design for the boat wrap, Guy Harvey and Homestead-Miami Speedway are teaming up for other fan elements:
· Harvey has designed the cover of the official Ford Championship Weekend program, which will be on sale at the track during race weekend.
· Harvey has also designed commemorative posters and t-shirts that will be for sale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, both during race weekend and beyond. Proceeds from the sales of the t-shirts will be donated to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Homestead-Miami Speedway's Driving for a Cause Foundation.
· NASCAR stock cars that include Guy Harvey Custom Wraps will be on display at Miami Beach's Clevelander and the Bass Pro Shop in Miami's Dolphin Mall.(HMS)(11-14-2012)

UFC's Buffer to announced drivers at Homestead: Bruce Buffer, the "Veteran Voice of the Octagon," for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be introducing the participating drivers prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship Ford EcoBoost 400 race on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer made the announcement. Buffer has been the voice for the Ultimate Fighting Championship since 1996, and has called action for other mixed martial arts and sporting events worldwide. Bruce is brother of boxing announcer Michael Buffer, and is recognized internationally for his signature catchphrases. Tickets still remain for the Ford EcoBoost 400, which commences Sunday at 3:00 pm/et. Sunday will mark the 1th consecutive year in which Homestead-Miami has hosted Ford Championship Weekend and the season finale for each of NASCAR's top three national series.(HMS)(11-13-2012)

Petty Driving Experience available after Homestead Nationwide race:Homestead-Miami Speedway and Richard Petty Driving Experience are teaming up to provide fans with the opportunity to ride in a 600 horsepower NASCAR stock car on the same track that hosts NASCAR's top championship races. Race Rides will be available following the NASACAR Nationwide Series championship race, the Ford EcoBoost 300, on Saturday, November 17. In addition to one Richard Petty Driving Experience Race Ride, the $144 package includes: One Grandstand ticket to the Ford EcoBoost 300, one reserved Grandstand ticket to the Sunday (Nov 18) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400, and a preferred parking pass. Fans that have already purchased their tickets can purchase the Race Ride separately. It is available now at homesteadmiamispeedway.com/petty or by calling 305.230.5255.(HMS)(10-2-2012)

Homestead-Miami announces Fanactics members: Miami - Homestead-Miami Speedway announced its selections to serve on its first-ever fan advisory network. The announcement comes after the speedway fielded applications from hundreds of candidates and interviewed dozens of prospective members. The six FANatics members will serve rotating one-year terms. FANatics purpose is to establish direct communication with track personnel and provide year-round feedback on matters that affect guests. The members' first official event weekend will be Ford Championship Weekend (November 16-18). Members will participate in quarterly meetings and conference calls. Additionally, members will have exclusive access to an online message board and Facebook page. Each of the FANatics members hails from Florida. The group includes: Melodye Brantley, Miami; Scott Bronson, Naples; David Gonzalez, Homestead; Teresa Noah, Labelle; Bryan Pease, Naples; and Julie Shafer, Homestead.(HMS)(9-14-2012)

Homestead-Miami Speedway's Racing to Read Begins: Miami  Homestead-Miami Speedway, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, has launched its Racing to Read program for second grade students at nine South Florida schools. The initiative's aim is to promote reading among youth. It began recently and runs through October 26. Students in the program can monitor their progress, both individually and against other participating schools and more info about the program, online at homesteadmiamispeedway.com.(HMS)(9-9-2012)

Homestead partners with McDonald's and Coke for ticket offer: Miami - Homestead-Miami Speedway is teaming with Coca-Cola and select Florida McDonald's restaurants to offer a ticket package to the Ford EcoBoost 400 - NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series championship race, set for Sunday, November 18, 2012. The offer is now available at participating McDonald's restaurants of Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, and Florida's Treasure Coast. The cost is $55, which represents $65 in savings, and includes two Grandstand tickets and a $10 coupon redeemable for Coca-Cola products to be used during the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Homestead-Miami Speedway-themed cups promoting the package and the 11th consecutive year that South Florida has hosted NASCAR's championship races are now available at participating McDonald's. The 32- ounce keepsake cups feature an image of NASCAR Sprint Cup cars racing around Homestead-Miami Speedway. The cups are free with the purchase an a la carte soft drink or an Extra Value Meal that includes a large soft drink.(HMS)(8-21-2012)

Homestead-Miami Speedway launches fan advisory board: Fans come first at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With that mantra in mind, the speedway is recruiting race fans and community partners to become members of the track's first-ever fan advisory network, which will be known as HMS FANatics. This group is being organized in order for track operators to garner suggestions and ideas for improving the fan experience at Homestead-Miami Speedway. FANatics members will serve rotating one-year terms that will include both a NASCAR and GRAND-AM event. Members will participate in quarterly meetings and conference calls. Additionally, members will have exclusive access to an online message board and Facebook page.(HMS)(7-21-2012)

Homestead qualifying moves to Friday: Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race, the 2012 Ford EcoBoost 400, at Homestead-Miami Speedway has been moved to Friday, November 16. Gatorade Pole Qualifying is now set for 6:10 p.m. Friday during Ford Championship Weekend. It was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Qualifying returns to the more traditional Friday and rounds-out that day's activities. Friday's NASCAR on-track schedule now includes: Nationwide Series practice (10:00 a.m.), Camping World Truck Series final practice (11:00), NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gatorade Pole qualifying (6:10 p.m.), and the Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200 (8:00 p.m.). The change in days also means fans at the track Saturday will be able to watch two separate Sprint Cup practices in the same afternoon - one starting at 1:00 and another at 3:00. In terms of competition, it allows for greater consistency from track to track for Sprint Cup Series teams and provides the opportunity to focus on qualifying separate from race set ups for the cars.(HMS)(7-20-2012)

"Race Day with Juan" at Homestead: South Florida resident and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, along with his wife Connie, are again giving South Florida race fans reason to smile. Homestead-Miami Speedway, for a fourth consecutive year, is partnering with the Montoyas to create "Race Day with Juan"-an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity prior to the Nov. 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The "Race Day with Juan" package for $142 - and valued at more than $200 if priced individually - will benefit the Formula Smiles Foundation. It includes: Ticket to Sprint Cup Series Championship-finale Ford EcoBoost 400 (Frontstretch West, rows 33-48); Private pre-race Q&A session with Montoya in the infield Driver's Meeting Room; Pre-Race Pit Pass access to front-stretch for photos, autographs and access to driver introductions; #42 Target Chevy commemorative hat; $42 donation to the Formula Smiles Foundation headed by the Montoyas. To purchase "Race Day with Juan" -- or to upgrade to this package if tickets already have been purchased-please call the Homestead-Miami Speedway Ticket Sales Department at 305.230.5255. For more information please visit www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com/Montoya.(HMS)(7-10-2012)

Homestead to host Season Finales, now with new Race Names: Ford Motor Company and Homestead-Miami Speedway today announced that NASCAR's season-ending championship races in South Florida will be named the Ford EcoBoost 200, Ford EcoBoost 300 and Ford EcoBoost 400 for 2012. The races, which crown season champions in NASCAR's top three national series, are set for this fall:
The Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200  Friday, November 16
The Nationwide Series Ford EcoBoost 300  Saturday, November 17
Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400  Sunday, November 18
Formerly known as the Ford 200, Ford 300 and Ford 400, the three contests comprise Ford Championship Weekend. This fall's events will mark the 11th consecutive year that Homestead-Miami Speedway has hosted NASCAR's championship races in all three series and under the Ford banner. The race entitlements at Homestead-Miami Speedway will cap a year-long campaign for Ford EcoBoost in racing, which includes a presence in NASCAR, GRAND-AM, World Rally Car (WRC) and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Specific to NASCAR, Ford EcoBoost serves as the primary sponsor on the Sprint Cup Series cars of #99-Carl Edwards and #17-Matt Kenseth for select races. Ford EcoBoost also appears for select races on the Mustang race cars of defending Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse and Trevor Bayne. Tickets for Ford Championship Weekend went on sale to the general public earlier this month. They are available at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or by calling 866.409.RACE.(Homestead-Miami Speedway)(5-21-2012)

Homestead tickets on sale: Tickets for NASCAR's Ford Championship Weekend go on sale to the general public Tuesday (May 1) at 9:00 a.m. EST. This fall will mark the 11th consecutive year champions will be crowned in South Florida for NASCAR's top three national series - the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series- the weekend of November 16-18. Tickets are available online at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com and by calling 866.409.RACE. Prices start at $55 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup season-ending race. Fan amenities continuing this year include:
• Exclusive benefit for Three-day Package - Fans purchasing a three-day package will have on-track access for post-race celebrations for all three championship races.
• Kid's Pricing - Kids 12 and under are free in general admission sections to both Friday's Camping World Truck Series Championship and Saturday's Nationwide Series Championship. Youngsters 12 and under will be admitted for half-price in reserved grandstands to Sunday's Sprint Cup Championship.(HMS)(5-1-2012)

"Burn Notice" films at Homestead: Homestead-Miami Speedway and the City of Homestead hosted USA Network for filming of its spy-drama "Burn Notice," [Jayski Fave] on Monday (March 26). The episode will air this summer. The hit show returned to Homestead-Miami Speedway for its second taping in two years. A cast and crew of more than 120 turned Homestead-Miami Speedway into an outdoor TV studio for the taping of the episode that will air as part of "Burn Notice's" sixth season. The same stretch of Homestead streets that fans will traverse this spring to attend the Grand Prix of Miami (April 27-29) and this fall for NASCAR's Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 16-18) functioned as a TV set for the episode. "We found this location based on our storyline," said "Burn Notice" location manager Beverly Visitacion. "We chose this particular site because filming at the Speedway is great and it has a certain look with the palm trees lining the road." The storyline for the Homestead-based episode includes a dramatic wreck involving a semi-trailer taking place on SW 142nd Street.(HMS)(4-18-2012)

Homestead-Miami, Daytona, Phoenix featured in "Smoke Your Tires" Game: Picturesque Homestead-Miami Speedway is one of the first tracks featured in a new downloadable application, Smoke Your Tires. Coinciding with the start of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing season, International Speedway Corporation has lent the marks to its 12 tracks to a new iTunes app, Smoke Your Tire. Homestead-Miami Speedway is among the first featured in the app, along with other iconic ISC facilities Daytona International Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. This application for the iPhone is available now in the iTunes store with an Android version forthcoming. The app allows players to customize a stock car to feel as if they are smoking tires on the actual 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway track in never-before-seen-on-apps 360 degree spins, the difficulty of which increases by graduating levels. The first two levels, with backdrops at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, respectively, are free with multi-level tiers added with each new event of the stock car racing season hosted at an ISC track. Each level will be a unique experience with new challenges and varying degrees of difficulty.(HMS)(3-8-2012)

Emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009)

New track blower, uses vacuum:
After six months of research and a year of development, Rob Brush believes he has a better alternative to help dry race tracks. The project manager for a steel fabrication company in Canada has designed a track dryer that travels about twice the speed as the current jet dryers used at NASCAR tracks. Rather than just blow hot air on the track as the jet driers do, Brush's vehicle also uses a vacuum to suck up water akin to a Shop-Vac. "With eight of these units at Daytona International Speedway, we could dry the track in under an hour," Brush said, estimating he could cut the current drying time in half. Brush has built a prototype that was given a successful trial run by NASCAR when a shower followed Sprint Cup qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway two months ago. Brush is expecting to meet with NASCAR officials in Daytona Beach, Fla., in two weeks before bringing the prototype dryer to the season finale at Homestead, Fla. The invention could be a boon for NASCAR, which has been plagued by rain this year (three Cup races were delayed a day and three were shortened by bad weather). The dryer also would fit with NASCAR's green initiatives because it runs on propane. Brush estimates it would burn less than 500 gallons to dry Daytona vs. 3,000 gallons of jet fuel. Brush has attended several races over the past two seasons, taking nearly 4,000 photos in researching the dryer.(USA Today)(11-8-2009)