F1 Visitor’s at Homestead UPDATE: Three-time Formula One champion Alain Prost strolled through the pits and paddock Friday at Miami-Homestead Speedway, getting his first look at NASCAR stock cars. “They are very loud, just like Formula One,” Prost said, smiling. The Frenchman, whose Prost F1 team went bankrupt midway through the 2002 season, was the guest of Winston Cup and Busch Series car owner George deBidart. Also visiting the track Friday was F1 driver and former CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya, who has a home in Miami, was the guest of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing team manager Andy Graves, who ran Ganassi’s Indy-car operation in 2000 when Montoya won the Indianapolis 500.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(11-16-2002) UPDATE: What brought the former Formula One team owner to the NASCAR finale? He was a guest of George deBidart, a Busch team owner who may have a full-time Winston Cup team in the near future. All he would say that morning Im here to see some people and look around the garages. What does a former Formula One team owner and a NASCAR team owner have in common? That’ easy, sponsorship. Even though the Prost Formula One team failed due to financial troubles one year ago, the type of money needed over there makes even the most expensive Winston Cup deal look like petty cash. Both Prost and deBidart were not waiting around to be interviewed but dont be surprised if some deal is cooking and there will be enough new financing to make it a serious effort.(more at RacingOne)(11-20-2002)
