Homestead-Miami Speedway Trackside

Homestead-Miami Speedway Trackside

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Loss of a Motorsports Legend

Longtime South Florida businessman and Homestead-Miami Speedway founder Rafael “Ralph” Sánchez passed away Monday morning. Sánchez, who was born in 1948, had been in declining health for much of the past year.  He is survived by wife Lourdes, daughter Patricia and son Ralph Jr.

Sánchez, who founded and managed the Grand Prix of Miami starting in 1983, led efforts to bring the motorsports facility to Homestead.  He worked with City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County officials to make the track a reality. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the track took place on August 24, 1993 -- exactly one year after Hurricane Andrew wiped out much of Homestead.  The track is credited with being a major catalyst for redevelopment following the category five hurricane that leveled large portions of Miami-Dade County.

Businessman H. Wayne Huizenga joined Sánchez as a track partner before the facility opened two years after construction began with a NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series race in November 1995. In 1997, Penske Motorsports (PMI) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) became partners with Sánchez and Huizenga.  Less than one year later, PMI and ISC purchased Sánchez’ remaining interest in Homestead-Miami Speedway.  ISC became the sole operator in 1999.  The facility will host season-ending championship races in NASCAR’s top three touring series for the 12th consecutive year in November (15-17).

Stepping Back in Time

Heading into this weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and golfer Tiger Woods are No. 1 in their respective sports at the same time for the first time since the week of June 13, 2004. Things were quite different back then. For example President Obama was still an Illinois senator, pop singer Justin Bieber was 10 years old and Facebook was in just its fourth month of existence while Twitter and YouTube had not yet been developed. 

Statistically speaking, Martinsville is Junior’s best track in terms of Driver Rating (99.8) and laps led (868). The driver of the No. 88 car has recorded ten top five finishes in 26 races.

Ratings Boon Continues

Through five events on FOX, television ratings for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are up three percent year over year in NASCAR’s top series.  The latest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for which full TV ratings are available, the contest in California, was the third most-viewed sporting event of the weekend (trailing the top NCAA Tournament games on CBS).

 

History was Made

Homestead-Miami Speedway provided the setting as NASCAR and Univision made history on April 1. “Arranque de Pasión, La Historia de Ela,” the first-ever sports-themed original project for the leading media company serving Hispanic America, debuted in the U.S. and Puerto Rico on Univision.com. Following the premiere on Monday, April 1, a new episode will be released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, midnight EST, for five consecutive weeks, culminating with the Univision network television special on Sunday, May 5

“Arranque de Pasión, La Historia de Ela,” is a co-production between Univision Studios and Kate Del Castillo Productions, Inc., in association with NASCAR. The drama, shot at Homestead-Miami Speedway, stars internationally acclaimed television and motion picture actress Kate del Castillo, as well as leading men Carlos Ponce and Christian Meier. “Arranque de Pasión, La Historia de Ela” is also NASCAR’s first-ever Spanish language original production.

Around the Next Turn at the Track

April will be a busy month at Homestead-Miami Speedway. From a novice to professional, we have an event for you. Below are some highlights of the more than 280 events that Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts annually. 

April 4, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Miami Exotic Auto Racing provides the opportunity to drive some of the world’s most exotic cars starting at $249. Take the wheel of a Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo or an Audi R8. All participants will receive one-on-one instruction from professional race car drivers that have more than 20 years experience. Kids are also welcome to come and enjoy a high speed hot lap ride along experience.  More information: MiamiExoticAutoRacing.com

April 5-7 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Formula & Automobile Racing Association (FARA) will feature amateur sports car racing on the road course.   Friday-testing; admission Saturday /$10 adults & Sunday / $10 adults / children 12 and under are free.  More information: http://www.farausa.com/.  [Infield Viewing]

April 6-7, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: South Florida RMAX Challenge karts of various classes will compete on road course built in the blue lot adjacent to 336th Street.  General admission viewing is free (enter from 336th Street just west of Speedway Boulevard) / Pit passes are $10.00 (enter from SW 142nd Avenue).  More information: www.homesteadkarting.net

NASCAR ACTION THIS WEEKEND   

Sunday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. EST

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP Gas Booster 500 at Martinsville Speedway

Tune In: on FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

NASCAR Nationwide Series has the weekend off

Saturday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. EST

NASCAR Camping World Series Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway

Tune In: on SPEED, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

FedEx, Autism Speaks again join forces

April 4, 2013

FedEx, Autism Speaks again join forces for June 2, 2013 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway

Partnership includes return of the Autism Speaks Day at the Races ticket package

DOVER, Del. – For the third straight year, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), Autism Speaks and Dover International Speedway will team up, as FedEx will serve as the title sponsor for the “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, June 2, 2013.

The announcement of the renewed partnership is coupled with the news that for the second straight year, the Autism Speaks Day at the Races event will be part of the June 2 race. Last year, this was the first-ever opportunity for those on the autism spectrum and their families to attend a NASCAR race, with a special ticket package set in a sensory friendly area within the air-conditioned grandstands at the Monster Mile.

The seating area offers a great view of the race along the backstretch of the track, with pre-race features including appearances from NASCAR drivers and personalities; brief presentations by educational speakers in the morning; food and drink; and much more.

On top of that, the area provides a dedicated quiet zone, with muted lighting in a calmer environment for parents to help their children escape the crowd if necessary. The room will also have comfortable seating, games, and video screens to help fans keep up with the action on the track as well as display family friendly movies.

Tickets for the Autism Speaks Day at the Races cost $88 for adults and $20 for children ages 14 and younger. The $88 price point is symbolic – as recent studies have shown that an estimated one in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum, a 78 percent increase in six years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Autism Speaks.

To purchase tickets to Autism Speaks Day at the Races, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.

The NASCAR Unites Track Walk, benefiting Autism Speaks and The NASCAR Foundation, will follow the Saturday, June 1 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Fans will have the opportunity to walk a lap around the one-mile, concrete oval where the top drivers in the sport do battle all weekend long. More information, including special guests and instructions on how to register, will be shared next week.

The Autism Speaks Day at the Races and NASCAR Unites Track Walk events are just another part of an ever-growing partnership between FedEx and Autism Speaks. This marks the seventh straight year the Monster Mile is partnering with Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, to help raise funds and awareness for the cause throughout the weekend.

“There is no event that is more accessible for individuals and families with autism than our event at Dover,” said Artie Kempner, Autism Speaks board member, co-founder of Autism Delaware, and coordinating director and executive producer of NASCAR on Fox. “We’ve seen this partnership grow into something truly amazing, with an unbelievable amount of awareness being raised throughout each Dover spring race weekend.”

With its return as title sponsor of the “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks,” FedEx continues to maintain a strong presence in NASCAR, most notably as the primary sponsor on Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota of Joe Gibbs Racing, a relationship that dates back to the beginning of the 2005 season. The past two years, Hamlin has run a specialized Autism Speaks/FedEx paint scheme for the Dover spring events.

Another returning aspect to help raise awareness for Autism Speaks throughout the weekend will be the Autism Speaks puzzle piece decals for drivers in all three national touring series to display on their cars throughout the weekend. In 2012, 47 drivers participated in this aspect of the weekend.

NASCAR returns to Dover International Speedway May 31-June 2, 2013 for the June 2 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the June 1 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 31 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

For tickets or more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com. You can also keep up with the Monster Mile at Facebook.com/DoverInternationalSpeedway or on Twitter at @MonsterMile.

Brad Keselowski Hopes to Rewrite History at Aaron’s 499

Brad Keselowski Hopes to Rewrite History at Aaron’s 499

TALLADEGA, AL– Defending Aaron’s 499 Champion Brad Keselowski has helped write some history at Talladega Superspeedway over the years, but he hopes to author a new, winning chapter when the Sprint Cup Series returns to the 2.66-mile unpredictable track during the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, May 3-5.  Talladega is extra special to Keselowski, who captured his first career NASCAR Cup Series triumph at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track in the 2009 Aaron’s 499.  The reigning Series titlist will be aiming for a third Cup win at TSS and fourth overall (victor in 2010 Aaron’s 312 Nationwide Series event).

The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend.  Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of ‘DEGA at 200 mph.  Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA.  This is more than a race…This is Talladega!