While the Homestead Speedway track [surface] itself was not damaged [from Hurricane Wilma], testing was cancelled this week for several Cup teams that included championship contenders Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. Other teams, including Roush Racing’s five-car operation, were scheduled to test in the next two weeks. Speedway president Curtis Gray will know soon when, and if, testing can be held. But a decision could not be made until the lighting experts arrived from Iowa-based MUSCO to access the damage and time needed to repair 12 custom-built light poles on pit road and another on the back of the grandstand. Getting the speedway ready for racing takes precedent, but Gray hopes to make a two-day test date available for all.(Miami Herald)(10-27-2005)
UPDATE: Cleanup, damage assessment and repairs continued Wednesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but a decision on whether to permit testing before NASCAR’s season-ending Ford Championship Weekend was still pending. Speedway president Curtis Gray said the damaged catch fencing that protects airborne cars and flying debris from leaving the racetrack should be repaired by the weekend. After an assessment of the 12 custom-built light poles that were destroyed on pit road, it also was determined there could be two open windows for testing between the Nextel Cup races in Atlanta, Texas and Phoenix, as originally scheduled. But Gray said NASCAR has the final say and wants to be ensured the track is safe before giving the green light.(Miami Herald)(10-27-2005)
