Uncle Kracker to perform prior to start of Ford 400: Top Dog/Atlantic recording artist Uncle Kracker will kick into gear the headline event of NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend on Sunday during a performance on the frontstretch entertainment stage at 1:15 pm. Homestead-Miami Speedway announced that the Detroit-based singer/songwriter will perform Sunday afternoon prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, “Ford 400”. Uncle Kracker has enjoyed multiplatinum success with chart topping hits including “Smile”, “Drift Away,” and “Follow Me,” and recently released a brand new single, "My Hometown" on November 1st. “NASCAR has always been a favorite for me,” said Uncle Kracker. “I am thrilled to be a part of the last NASCAR-race weekend of the year.” Uncle Kracker has spent most of 2011 on the road with country superstar Kenny Chesney hitting stadiums and arenas in nearly every major U.S. market, as well as his own headline shows and benefit concerts supporting The Uncle Kracker Music Education Foundation. Tickets start at just $55 for the Ford 400 (Sunday, November 20) – NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship. For more information, please visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or call 866.409.RACE.(HMS)(11-20-2001)

Ford 400 National Anthem singer named: Homestead-Miami Speedway announced that American Idol finalist Pia Toscano will sing the National Anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Ford 400 race on Sunday, November 20. The 19/Interscope recording artist just completed the American Idol Live Tour and is currently putting the finishing touches on her debut album, scheduled for release early next year. Toscano has opened for the Barenaked Ladies and performed with Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden. Tickets start at just $55 for the Ford 400 (Sunday, November 20) – NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship. For more information, please visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or call 866.409.RACE.(HMS)(11-16-2011)

WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter names Ford 300 Grand Marshal: WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter will be the Grand Marshal for Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series championship race, the Ford 300, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “I am really excited to start the Ford 300,” said Slaughter. “Ricky, Elliott, Justin and Aric have made the 2011 Nationwide Series special and I can’t wait to see who is named champion once the checkered flag is waved and history is made.” Tickets start at just $55 for the Ford 400 (Sunday, November 20) – NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Championship. For more information, please visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or call 866.409.RACE.(HMS)(11-16-2011)

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to be Ford 400 Grand Marshals: As part of their Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will visit Homestead-Miami Speedway as it hosts the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale, the Ford 400, and join NASCAR in honoring America’s troops and military families. NASCAR, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will recognize service members and military families from the local community at a special BBQ lunch prior to the race. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will also invite a military family to join them as they serve as Grand Marshals for the championship race to lead the pre-race ceremony and offer the most famous words in racing: “Gentlemen, start your engines.” The crowd will consist of 5,000 active duty and retired military personnel and families and thousands of NASCAR fans. As part of the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship race, NASCAR will rally its millions of fans at the speedway and online to serve military families through the holiday season by asking them to visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/Unites and JoiningForces.gov to find service opportunities and ideas to give back to those who serve our country.
At the launch of Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, Walmart and NASCAR developed a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign designed to recognize military families for the sacrifices they make when our troops are called to action and to inspire customers and fans to recognize and support the needs of military families in their own communities. The PSAs feature NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Parker Kligerman, are broadcast in 500+ Walmart stores and will air at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(Homestead-Miami Speedway)(11-12-2011)

New Police Interceptor Duo To Pace Homestead races: Bringing new meaning to the term high speed chase, Ford announced it will continue its tradition of using high-profile racing events to show off its new products, only this year with a new twist. Scheduled to bring the field of race cars to the green flag at Homestead Miami Speedway for all three Ford Championship Weekend races are new Ford Police Interceptors, which will make their debut in the marketplace starting in 2012, and are appearing on the NASCAR circuit for the first time. Ford, the police vehicle market leader for 15 years, specifically designed and engineered all-new Police Interceptors to handle the rigors of police work, including industry-leading powertrain, safety and technology innovations. That said, these vehicles can more than handle the duties needed to pace the Ford 200, Ford 300 and Ford 400 NASCAR finale events. Fans will see versions of both new Ford police vehicles, the Police Interceptor Sedan, and the Police Interceptor Utility, on track pacing the races.
The Ford Police Interceptor Utility, the first ever pursuit rated utility by Ford, will be pursued by the fields of all three races during FCW, serving as the lead pace car. The Sedan, which will serve as the split pace car for the weekend, boasts a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine delivering 365 horsepower and a top speed of 148 mph.
Ford has been at the forefront of using its NASCAR pace car program to highlight its extensive line of new cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. This includes being the first company to have a Hybrid pace the start of a NASCAR race when the Fusion Hybrid led the field to green for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2009. In addition, the all-new 2012 Focus, the Mustang GT 5.0L V-8 and all-new 2011 Explorer SUV have served as pace vehicles within the last two years.
The new Ford Police Interceptors, both sedan and utility vehicle, can be ordered with a choice of three powerful V6 engines that deliver more horsepower and better fuel economy than the 250-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 in today’s Crown Victoria police car. Ford's mission was to produce the next generation of Police Vehicles by leveraging the legacy of CVPI safety and reliability and incorporating the latest engineering design and technology to aide law enforcement. Both Ford Police Interceptors will be manufactured at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.(Ford Racing)(11-12-2011)

Homestead extends ticket office hours: As the days to Ford Championship Weekend count down, Homestead-Miami Speedway is extending its office hours for race fans wanting to purchase tickets for the Camping World Truck Series Ford 200, Nationwide Series Ford 300 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400. The Speedway’s ticket operations staff is extending the hours of the ticket office as the team responds to increased ticket sales.
Starting Saturday, Nov. 12, the Homestead-Miami Speedway Ticket Office will be open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. for fans wanting to purchase tickets. On Sunday, Nov. 13, the ticket office will also be open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fans will have the opportunity to pick up their Will Call tickets during any of these times.
Homestead-Miami Speedway’s ticket office will also continue its regular office hours, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. In addition, Homestead-Miami Speedway is extending the ticket office hours during race week (Nov. 14-17) from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fans can also purchase race tickets by calling 866.409.RACE (7223) or by visiting www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
Tickets will be available to the public even after NASCAR’s top national series take to the track during Ford Championship Weekend. Friday, Nov. 18, the office will be open from 8 a.m. until the conclusion of the Ford 200. Tickets for the Ford 300 and Sunday’s Ford 400 will be available on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. until an hour following the Nationwide Series Ford 300. The ticket office will open for business at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20. The Homestead-Miami Speedway ticket office is located across from Gate 3 at the Homestead Karting facility.
The Ford 400 winner will take home a 25-foot Tournament model fishing boat, built by Homestead-based Contender Boats.(Homestead-Miami Speedway)(11-10-2011)

Mario Lopez to serve as honorary chairman at Homestead: Mario Lopez, host of the television show "EXTRA," will serve as an Honorary Chairman for next month's Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Lopez will interview celebrities from the worlds of Hollywood, sports and entertainment on the red carpet prior to the 10th consecutive running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race at the speedway. "Extra," the second longest-running entertainment magazine on television, is in its 18th season. Lopez has starred on the show since 2007.(HMS)(10-28-2011)

NASCAR Championship Drive returns to Miami Beach: NASCAR Championship Drive is cruising back to Miami Beach. In its second year, the outdoor fan festival and Coca-Cola Racing Family Concert featuring Blake Shelton, which are free to fans, will take place Nov. 17-18 at Lummus Park and officially kick-off Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Launched in 2010 as a thank you to fans, the two-day NASCAR Championship Drive festival revs up for the race weekend with live music, multiple driver appearances, a race hauler parade, and many other activities. New this year is a youth education program targeted to school-aged children in Miami-Dade County. The Coca-Cola Racing Family Concert at NASCAR Championship Drive featuring Blake Shelton, scheduled for the evening of Thursday, Nov. 17, highlights the first day festivities with a live performance by Shelton, reigning CMA "Male Vocalist of the Year" and five-time CMA nominee including a nod for their most prestigious honor, "Entertainer of the Year." NASCAR Championship Drive begins mid-day on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Lummus Park, located along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach between 7th and 9th Streets. The first scheduled event is a live press conference at 1 p.m. featuring the remaining NASCAR drivers contending for the three NASCAR national series championships. Broadcast live on SPEED, the NASCAR Championship Contenders Press Conference will be simulcast on a video screen inside Lummus Park for festival attendees and also streamed live on NASCAR.COM.(NASCAR)(10-27-2011)

Homestead race winner will get a boat: On Sunday, Nov. 20, the winner of the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will take home a very unique prize: a 25-foot Tournament Model Contender fishing boat with a four stroke 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard, trailer and several customized factory options for a total value of more than $115,000. Starting this fall and for the next three years, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Contender Boats have joined forces to "up the ante" for the winner of the Ford 400 starting this fall. In fewer than 30 years, Contender has redefined sport fishing boat construction. Contender produces high quality outboard-powered offshore performance cruising, luxury, and fishing vessels. The boat maker's popularity among die-hard fisherman is a testament to Contender's reputation and legendary performance.(HMS)(10-16-2011)

"Race Day with Juan" at Homestead: Homestead-Miami Speedway, for the third consecutive year, is partnering with Juan Pablo Montoya to create "Race Day with Juan"-an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity prior to the Nov. 20 Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The "Race Day with Juan" package benefits the Formula Smiles Foundation and includes: Ticket to Sprint Cup Championship-finale Ford 400 (Turn 1, rows 11-21), Private pre-race meet-and-greet with Montoya in the infield Driver's Meeting Room, Pre-Race Pit Pass access to front-stretch for photos, autographs, Q&A sessions, #42 Target commemorative lanyard and credential holder, $42 donation to the Formula Smiles Foundation headed by Montoya and wife Connie. To purchase "Race Day with Juan" ($142)-or to upgrade to this package if tickets already have been purchased-please visit HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com/Montoya or call (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(8-25-2011)

NASCAR Championship Tickets On-Sale at Homestead: Tickets for NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend go on-sale to the general public Monday, May 2. For the 10th consecutive year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host NASCAR during Ford Championship Weekend. South Florida again will be the site where NASCAR crowns its Champions in all three of its top national divisions—the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series— the weekend of Nov. 18-20, 2011. Homestead-Miami Speedway is making it easier to enjoy NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend Nov. 18-20 with several new amenities. A three-day championship tradition unlike any other, Homestead-Miami Speedway provides the South Florida finish line for NASCAR’s series-crowning finale, Ford Championship Weekend Nov. 18-20. For ticket information, visit HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com or call (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(5-1-2011)

'NASCAR Kinetics' team looks to make its mark at HMS - free party: Homestead-Miami Speedway Partners with University of Miami NASCAR Kinetics for Viewing Party Official NASCAR viewing party Saturday, April 9th at 6:30 p.m. at 'Smoke't Southern Kitchen & Tap'. Five students from the University of Miami's School of Education were selected to participate in 'NASCAR Kinetics', representing the Hurricanes' first entry into the groundbreaking motorsports program. Each student chosen for the 'NASCAR Kinetics' program is tasked with fostering brand awareness throughout their college and community. Through a promotional partnership with Homestead-Miami Speedway, these potential leaders in the racing industry will be hosting an official 'M&M'S Makes Race Day Fun' NASCAR viewing party on the evening of Saturday, April 9th at 'Smoke't Southern Kitchen & Tap' beginning at 6:30 pm. The viewing party is open to the public and will feature free food, racing themed dinner specials, interactive games, as well as numerous giveaways for those in attendance. More info at visit HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com or call (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(4-7-2011)

Homestead Names New VP of Sales & Marketing: Shawn McGee has been named Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. McGee joins the Speedway from the Atlanta Beat of Women.s Professional Soccer, where he ran the professional soccer franchise as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. McGee brings more than 15 years of professional and collegiate sports experience to Homestead-Miami Speedway, spending 10 years with Dallas Burn/FC Dallas in Major League Soccer (1997-2007) and two years as associate athletics director at Southern Methodist University (2007-09) prior to taking the head reins of the Atlanta Beat (2009-11). McGee attended the University of North Texas and is married with two children. For information and tickets visit HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com.(1-29-2011)

KC & the Sunshine Band to Perform Live at Homestead: A South Florida native (Hialeah), Harry Wayne Casey (“KC”) dubbed his crew the “Sunshine Band” after the moniker of his home state. The iconic dance legends will perform a full set this Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway beginning 10:30 am, rocking the Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage in the midway adjacent to the front-stretch grandstands. The band that danced its way on to the music scene more than 35 years ago with a unique fusion of R&B, funk and Latin percussion will draw from its catalogue of chart-topping hits that includes "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," "Shake Your Booty” and “Keep It Comin’ Love.” Tickets for the Championship finale are available starting at $55 via HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com and (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(11-18-2010)

Grand Marshall named for FORD 400: Even after spending more than 20 years in the music business, legendary rock star Bret Michaels continues to move at warp speed. The former Poison front-man-turned-reality TV star will kick into gear the headline event of NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend on Sunday by serving as the Ford 400 Grand Marshal in delivering the most famous words in racing: "Gentlemen, start your engines!".
A diabetic and longtime champion for diabetes-related research, Michaels recently raised nearly $650,000 for the American Diabetes Foundation in winning NBC TV's Celebrity Apprentice 3 in 2010. He also starred in VH-1’s Rock of Love with Bret Michaels and currently stars in VH-1’s Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It.
In addition to starting the 43-car field for the 2010 Sprint Cup Championship finale, Michaels will honor America prior to Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway by singing the national anthem.
Joining Michaels on the list of dignitaries for Ford Championship Weekend is professional wrestling star Bill Goldberg, who will serve as Honorary Race Chairman for Saturday night’s Nationwide Series Championship-finale Ford 300.
On Sunday, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host a one-race shootout to decide the closest-ever Sprint Cup Championship race in NASCAR history. Tickets for this historic Championship finale are available starting at $55 via HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com and (866) 409-RACE.
Additional dignitary assignments for NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway include Bobby Allison—Miami Beach native and 2011 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee—and Alto Reed, legendary saxophonist and founding member of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 19-21. Kids 12 & under are admitted FREE (general admission) for Friday night’s Camping World Truck Series Championship and for just $10 (reserved seats) for Saturday’s Nationwide Series Championship. Tickets for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Championship start at $55. Parking is always free at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and fans are invited to bring food and drink in a 14x14x14 cooler. For more info, visit THEChampionshipTrack.com or call (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(11-16-2010)

Homestead and Miami Dolphins Introduce Combo Package: Homestead-Miami Speedway and the Miami Dolphins have teamed up to offer an unprecedented ticket package for South Florida sports fans: The “Track & Field” combo ticket provides fans an opportunity to attend NASCAR’s Nov. 21 Ford 400 Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as well as one of three Miami Dolphins December homes games. This unique package pairing NASCAR and NFL tickets is the first such partnership between Homestead-Miami Speedway and the Dolphins, and at a cost of $110 the package represents a 31% savings ($50) vs. buying tickets to the two events separately. To purchase the “Track & Field” package—and for more information on NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 19-21)—visit HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com or call (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(11-4-2010)

GEICO partners with ISC tracks on camping areas: International Speedway Corporation announced an unprecedented partnership with GEICO Insurance at seven of its premier racing facilities nationwide. Beginning in 2011, the five year deal will provide GEICO with promotional and entitlement rights for camping areas at: Daytona International Speedway; Darlington Raceway; Chicagoland Speedway; Homestead-Miami Speedway; Phoenix International Raceway; Talladega Superspeedway; and Watkins Glen International. Under the terms of the agreement, GEICO will receive on-site signage and branding.(ICS)(11-2-2010)

Bruton hopes to get 2nd race at AMS; talks about 'Cuba' comment: The chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. hasn't given up on the idea of having two Sprint Cup races at Atlanta Motor Speedway again one day. "Absolutely," Bruton Smith said before Sunday's race at AMS. "But not in March. We tried that and tried it awfully hard over the years. I remember coming here four times before they actually ran the race one year. Rain, rain, rain. March is not the time to run a race here." Smith recently gave up his March Cup date that has struggled attendance-wise to give a date to Kentucky Speedway beginning in 2011. Under the realigned schedule, Kentucky will host its first Cup race in early July. Smith would not speculate on how he would get a second date for Atlanta, which hosted its first event in 1960. Under the current scenario he would have to give up a date from one of his existing tracks because NASCAR does not have a history of giving SMI a date from International Speedway Corporation. The only other option would be to get a date from independently owned Pocono or Dover, which have two races each, but NASCAR has given no indication it would do that. Smith has tried to purchase both tracks in recent years. "Certain things would have to occur," Smith said. "If we're able to make those things occur, yeah there is a possibility. We'll be keeping our eyes open and see if we can be creative." A second date for Atlanta is not Smith's priority. Bringing a second Cup date to Las Vegas, preferably the last weekend of the season, is. Smith said this weekend at Kentucky Speedway that Homestead Miami is "not the proper place for the Sprint Cup series to end the Chase for the championship." He referred to the track as North Cuba. "I was just speaking the truth," Smith said. "I thought it was a compliment based on location."(ESPN)(9-8-2010)

Smith blasts NASCAR for ending season at Homestead: Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith isn't a fan of NASCAR's insistence on ending the season in South Florida. Smith likened Homestead Miami Speedway to "North Cuba," arguing it is not the "proper place" for the Sprint Cup series to end the Chase for the championship. The longtime track owner says he'd prefer NASCAR to run its final Cup race at SMI-owned Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Smith said he expects IndyCar to end the 2011 season at the 1.5-mile oval next October. Despite his protests, SMI did not make a formal request for NASCAR to add a second Las Vegas race to the 2011 schedule. Smith said it's because he doesn't believe it would make a difference.(Associated Press)(9-5-2010)

10 Years of Championship Racing at Homestead: For the 10th consecutive year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will serve as host to NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend in 2011. South Florida again will be the site when NASCAR crowns its Champions in all three of its top national divisions—the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series— the weekend of Nov. 18-20, 2011. Ford Championship Weekend 2010 is set for Nov. 19-21, and tickets—starting at just $55 for the Ford 400 Sprint Cup Championship finale—are available now by calling (866) 409-RACE or by visiting THEChampionshipTrack.com.(HMS)(8-18-2010)

2011 schedule changes will be "impactful": NASCAR appears ready to give its 2011 Sprint Cup schedule a facelift. CEO Brian France said before Sunday's race at Indianapolis that stock car's top series is in the "final throes" of completing next year's Cup slate and that it could feature some "impactful" changes. International Speedway Corp. is asking for a second race in Kansas, while Speedway Motorsports Inc. wants Las Vegas to get a second Cup date. SMI is also hoping to bring a Cup race to its 1.5-mile track in northern Kentucky.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)
AND: NASCAR's 2010 Sprint Cup schedule is expected to have a considerably different look next season, including the site of the season finale. Some changes are expected in response to requests from major track owners International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc., but several other race dates are believed to be in play. Several sources told the Observer and ThatsRacin.com on Sunday that changes being contemplated include the season's final race, now held at Miami-Homestead. That ISC-owned track could get the second race of the 2011 season. Auto Club Speedway currently occupies that spot on the schedule. The sources said two tracks figure in the options being considered to replace Homestead as host of the season's final race weekend: Las Vegas and Daytona. A Las Vegas finale could make it more convenient for fans, teams, media and others to attend NASCAR's season-ending awards events. Those events, held in New York City for years, moved to the desert gambling-and-resort city for the first time last year. A season finale at Daytona would add a second restrictor-plate race to the Chase for the Sprint Cup.(Charlotte Observer)(7-26-2010)

NASCAR, IndyCar tickets go on Sale at Homestead Saturday: Homestead-Miami Speedway is doing it again in 2010: The only venue ever to host all of North America's premier motorsports' Championship finales, The Championship Track will be the site of IZOD IndyCar Series Championship Weekend (Oct. 1-2) and NASCAR's Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 19-21). Tickets for both go on sale this Saturday, July 3, via (866) 409-RACE or TheChampionshipTrack.com. Kids 12 & under are FREE to three of the five Championships. With the IndyCar Championship having gone down to the final lap of the final race each of the last four seasons, fans can expect more of the same during the NextEra Energy Indy Championships at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Oct. 1-2). And seven weeks later (Nov. 19-21), Homestead-Miami Speedway will host NASCAR for its series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend, featuring the Championship finales of the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and the Camping World Truck Series.(HMS)(6-30-2010)

Becherer Named HMS President: International Speedway Corporation announced it has named Matthew Becherer as president of Homestead-Miami Speedway effective immediately. Becherer accepts the role from his most recent position of vice president of marketing for Richmond International Raceway. Current Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray is leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities. At Richmond International Raceway since 2003, Becherer was integral to the growth of the widely-popular 3/4-mile track into one of ISC’s premier facilities. As vice president of marketing, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of marketing, advertising, promotions, public relations and ticketing. Prior to Richmond, Becherer was the director of marketing for Darlington Raceway and marketing manager for North Carolina Speedway. Becherer will transition with his family to the Homestead-Miami, FL, area over the next few weeks.(HMS PR)(12-10-2009)

New option for Homestead pit road: NASCAR drivers have been getting used to a slightly new Homestead-Miami Speedway rule this weekend – the way they enter pit road. Drivers in the past had to use the access road (which serves mostly as a deceleration lane) between turns 3 and 4 but now they enter pit road as they do on most tracks when they come off of Turn 4. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby said Sunday that a pass-through penalty in the past would cost a driver two laps because he would have to slow down on the access road. He noted that in the Truck series race Friday, a pass-through for Kyle Busch resulted in him losing one lap, much like it would at most other tracks. “Part of it is trying to create a more fair environment for the competitors,” Darby said in the Homestead-Miami Speedway garage prior to the Ford 400. “There’s some tracks that a trip down pit road is going to be a two- or three-lap penalty – your Martinsvilles, your Bristols – but if we have the opportunity to make a change at a bigger track to make it more in line with the other tracks we race at, we should do that for the competitors.” NASCAR never had a speed limit on that access road. “If you drive slow [on it], it’s not a problem, but our competitors aren’t used to driving slow,” Darby said. “If you force them to use the access road, like we have in the past, then you get into situations where there is no speed limit on that portion – if you go too fast, you slide off, you wind up in the grass and you end up creating a bigger mess.” Drivers can still use the access road entering the pits if they have a problem and they will still use the access road between turns 1 and 2 when exiting pit road.(SceneDaily)(11-22-2009)

Buzz Aldrin to pace the Ford 400: What was once thought impossible came true 40 years ago when the world witnessed the first ever moon landing. Homestead-Miami Speedway will celebrate the 40-year anniversary of this incredible accomplishment by honoring the “best of the best”—the NASA Apollo astronauts—during NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 20-22). Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin will headline pre-race ceremonies as Honorary Race Chairman for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Ford 400. As one of the world’s most recognizable astronauts—the second human to step foot on the moon—Aldrin will be honored on-stage during pre-race festivities before getting into a 1969 Ford Mustang to lead the pace car and race field. For great seats and hospitality options for Ford Championship Weekend, call (866) 409-RACE or visit THEChampionshipTrack.com. To learn more NASA and the 40th Anniversary of Apollo visit: www.nasa.gov or www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.(HMS)(11-19-2009)

National Anthem at Homestead: Anika Noni Rose—voice of lead-character Tiana in Disney’s upcoming film “The Princess and the Frog” is scheduled to be singing the national anthem for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday.(HMS)(11-19-2009)

Homestead to hold NASCAR Hauler parade: The celebration of NASCAR’s Championship finales at Homestead-Miami Speedway kicks into high gear this Wednesday, Nov. 18, as race-car haulers en route to Ford Championship Weekend will gather downtown Miami, rumble across MacArthur Causeway, on to South Beach and up Ocean Drive. At the parade’s conclusion near 9th Street, fans are invited to a FREE South Beach fan festival at Lummus Park that will feature the Championship-contending drivers in two of NASCAR’s top series. Drivers scheduled to participate include Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and Ron Hornaday Jr. of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Top 5 drivers in the Championship standings of both series will be available for autographs, as well as a Q&A session. All three of NASCAR’s top series will be crowned during Ford Championship Weekend Nov. 20-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and phenomenal seats are still available for NASCAR’s series-crowning weekend by calling (866) 409-RACE or by visiting THEChampionshipTrack.com.
Haulers are tentatively scheduled to depart from Bicentennial Olympic Park downtown Miami at 2:30pm/et, with an estimated arrival at Lummus Park set for 3:00pm/et.(HMS)(11-17-2009)

Bobby Allison Named Ford 400 Honorary Starter: With a history dotted with legendary family names like Petty, Earnhardt and Allison, NASCAR runs deep in tradition. Homestead-Miami Speedway will honor that tradition by naming Miami-native Bobby Allison as Honorary Starter for the Ford 400 during NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 20-22. One of NASCAR’s most beloved competitors, the 1983 Sprint Cup Champion and three-time Daytona 500 winner will wave the Green Flag to start NASCAR’s Championship-finale Ford 400 on Nov. 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In addition, Allison will be honored during pre-race festivities and be available to fans via exclusive hospitality appearances. For great seats and hospitality options for Ford Championship Weekend, please visit THEChampionshipTrack.com or by calling (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(11-16-2009)

Grand Marshal named for Ford 400: Stock cars weighing in at 3400 pounds tearing around a 1.5-mile oval, trading paint and burning rubber, charging through dust and debris. Competing for motorsports’ ultimate prize—the Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway —can be a dirty job, so who better to deliver the most famous words in racing at NASCAR’s Nov. 22 Championship finale than Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs”? Creator and executive producer of the Emmy-nominated series, Rowe will provide the Grand Marshal command of “Gentlemen, start your engines!” to the 43 Sprint Cup drivers competing in the Nov. 22 Ford 400, the headline event of NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend. “I'm very proud to be the Grand Marshal of the Ford 400 Sprint Cup Championship,” said Rowe, CEO of mikeroweWORKS.com. For great seats and hospitality options for Ford Championship Weekend, please visit THEChampionshipTrack.com or by calling (866) 409-RACE.(HMS)(11-16-2009)

Championships Tickets on sale at Homestead: New Value Pricing for 2009: Racing fans are invited to be a part of history in 2009—and at a very special value. Homestead-Miami Speedway announced that all children ages 12 and younger will be: Admitted FREE of charge to both the grandstands and the exclusive paddock area during the Oct. 10 NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships Weekend and admitted FREE of charge to the Grandstands for the Nov. 20 Camping World Truck Series Championship finale during NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend. Tickets for all Six Championships—NASCAR, IndyCar and Grand-Am Sports Cars—are on sale, via (866) 409-RACE and www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com. Adult prices start at just $30 for the IndyCar/Grand-Am Championships and $55 for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Championship. Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2009 becomes the first venue ever to host all of North America’s premier motorsports championships. The SpeedJam Championships (Oct. 9-10) feature the finales of the IndyCar, Firestone Indy Lights and Grand-Am Sports Car Series. Six weeks later (Nov. 20-22), NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend features the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series finales. Morer details by calling (866) 409-RACE or going to www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com.(HMS PR)(4-21-2009)

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)