Homestead-Miami Speedway
With palm trees lining the backstretch, you know you're not in Kansas anymore. (Getty Images)
Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide | 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
Overview
South Florida: sunshine, mid-70s temps, diverse culture and legendary Miami nightlife. Oh, and NASCAR's series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend -- home to the championship finales of the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.
Teams and fans bunker down on South Beach or in the Keys in this most unique of locales where the off-track entertainment almost matches the on-track. Almost, because Homestead-Miami offers the thrills of competitive racing on two fronts: NASCAR's three season finales and the final point standings that decide champions.
Who can forget the 2004 nail-biter, when Kurt Busch held off Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon on the last lap to win his first championship by a margin of eight points? Or 2005 when Greg Biffle beat Mark Martin to the line by .017 seconds to win his second straight Ford 400? In fact, The Biff's Roush-Fenway Racing has won the past five Sprint Cup races in Miami, including Carl Edwards last year in his attempt to catch Johnson for the Cup championship. Johnson is likely to be a focal point again this year, as he seeks to be crowned with an unprecedented fourth straight Cup championship.
The 1.5-mile oval with 18-degree to 20-degree variable banking is composed of two long straightaways with palm trees lining the backstretch, two pristine lakes and a winding road-course in the middle. Make this trip, and you'll be treated to a championship-worthy weekend -- on and off the track.
Homestead-Miami Speedway will make motorsports history in 2009 as the first venue ever to host all of North America's premier motorsports championships: the IndyCar, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car and Firestone Indy Lights Series during the NextEra Energy Resources SpeedJam Championships Oct. 9-10; and NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series during Ford Championship Weekend Nov. 20-22.
Address
One Speedway Blvd.
Homestead, FL 33035
www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com and www.THEChampionshipTrack.com
More track news is available through jayski.com.
City Guide: Miami
Notable Events
NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
• Practice Day
NASCAR Craftsman Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying
• Ford 200, 8 p.m.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Gates open at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice
• NASCAR Nationwide Series Qualifying
• Ford 300, 4:30 p.m.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Gates open at 11 a.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009
• Ford 400, 3:45 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 10 a.m.
Tickets
Ticket office: 866-409-7223
Online: Buy tickets | Seating chart
Pit passes: Not Available.
Fan hospitality: Premier Club and the Coke Zero Fan Zone.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information
call 866-409-RACE or click here.
Special packages: Call track ticket office for further information.
Track Specs
Track length: 1.5 miles
Banking: Corners — 18-20 degrees (variable); straights — 4 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,760 feet
Backstretch: 1,760 feet
Race length (Sprint Cup): 400 miles (267 laps)
Grandstand seating capacity: 65,000
Opened: 1995
Carry-In Items
Coolers: Allowed (one soft-sided bag/cooler per person — limit of
6"x6"x12"; one clear, plastic bag per person — limit of 18"x18"x4";
plastic bags may not contain ice).
Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Allowed.
Cameras/recording devices: Allowed.
Souvenirs and Displays
Merchandise: Driver and NASCAR merchandise haulers on-site.
Scanners: Scanners available on site for rental.
Gift shop: Located at the speedway.
Autographs
Check local newspapers and TV; drivers more available Friday and Saturday.
Pit Area Guidelines
Shirts: Required, must cover shoulder area.
Shoes: Required. No open-toe shoes allowed.
Shorts/capri pants: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Not allowed.
Camping
RV reserved: Available; requires a minimum purchase of two race tickets. Day of race RV parking is free.
Associated Driving Schools
Richard Petty Driving Experience
1-800-BE-PETTY
Web site
Chin Motorsports
770-378-1694
Web site
Equipe Rapide Motorsports Experience
561-441-1044
Web site
Florida Track Days
954-816-6321
Web site
Penguin Roadracing School
508-339-4673
Web site
Getting There
• From Florida Turnpike:
Exit Speedway Boulevard (Exit 6)
Travel east approximately 5 miles to the speedway, then follow signs to parking
• From U.S. 1:
Take U.S. 1 to Palm Drive
Travel east approximately 2½ miles to the speedway, then follow signs to parking
Parking
Free parking: Parking is free on site; shuttle service available.
Handicapped parking: Available, requires permit.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
