No matter how much drivers like the new banking at Homestead-Miami Speedway — and seldom has been heard a discouraging word in the first two days of Ford Championship race week — it’s inevitable that someone would find something to suggest as an improvement. Which brings up the subject of lane lines — specifically, the track’s lack of them. The track’s new asphalt, put down when the surface was rebuilt to increase banking in the corners from 6 degrees to a combination of 18, 19 and 20 degrees, is very dark. That makes it hard to see the rubber being laid down by cars and trucks in the first two days of testing. The rubber gives the drivers a visual aid for finding the groove, the best way around the oval, Busch Series drivers said Tuesday. “The track is really black, and you’re used to a gray asphalt out here,” Ron Hornaday said. “It’s very hard to see and position yourself where you’re at on the racetrack,” David Green said. Hornaday and Green said they believe Homestead officials will paint lane lines on at least part of the track before the weekend’s races. Track President Curtis Gray, however, indicated drivers shouldn’t count on having lines for Friday’s Craftsman Trucks race, Saturday’s Busch Series race or Sunday’s Winston Cup race. “I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do anything that drastic this weekend, but we’ll look at it,” Gray said. Lane lines — similar to those on highways — used to be common on racetracks, a few of which still use them, mostly in corners. Tracks that have or used to have lines include Talladega, Martinsville, Charlotte, Rockingham, Richmond, Pocono and Texas. While several drivers said lane lines would be beneficial, none indicated that they are an urgent necessity. “Once you pick out some references on the outside of the racetrack I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” Kevin Harvick said.( Palm Beach Post ) AND One complaint shared by many of the drivers on Wednesday was a lack of markings on the new asphalt surface or on the surrounding concrete walls. “They need to put a bright white stripe around the bottom,” Ricky Rudd said. “Even if they just came around and put a couple of dots on the racetrack, at least until you get to the center of the corner, I think it would help you see a better race on Sunday.” Dale Jarrett agreed. “We probably need some hash marks there, or something to go by,” Jarrett said. “Then, if we could just get some lines on the wall to where you’ve got an idea where you’re at, that would help a little bit.”( ThatsRacin.com/AP )(11-13-2003)
