Kyle Busch vs. Richard Childress Racing
6/6/2011
June 10, 2011
Kyle Busch vs Richard Childress Racing
Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick tangled at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year during Ford Championship Weekend. Fast forward to this year...Busch and Harvick were put on probation for an altercation at Darlington and last weekend at Kansas team owner Richard Childress ventured into the fray. With tempers flaring already, there may be fireworks this year at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend.
Richard Childress leaves the NASCAR hauler after an altercation with Kyle Busch (Photo courtesy: John Harrelson, Getty Images Sport)
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May 24, 2011
NASCAR Hall of Fame inducts second star-studded class including Miami's Own
With each win, and each championship, a legend grew. And now, those legends have a permanent home including Miami-native Bobby Allison. The second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame – champions all – captured over 350 victories and a dozen championships in NASCAR’s premier series. The five inductees – Allison, Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Lee Petty – make up the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.
The 1983 NASCAR Champion waved the Green Flag to start NASCAR’s Championship-finale Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2009. This year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host NASCAR during Ford Championship Weekend for the 10th consecutive year.
Photo courtesy: John Harrelson, Getty Images Sport
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May 13, 2011
"I don't mind getting wrecked back, if you think it's payback for Homestead"
Coming off pit road on Lap 187 in the 2010 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Harvick would have had the race lead. But just moments later he was informed that NASCAR busted him for speeding. He pleaded his case to NASCAR officials and lost, forcing him to restart at the rear of the field.
It was a penalty that had huge implications on the NASCAR Chase for the Championship and Harvick trying to win his first title. In the end the penalty didn’t matter because Johnson finished second to race winner Edwards as Harvick came home in third place.
After the speeding penalty and having to work his way through the field, Harvick came across Kyle Busch and the two made contact on the frontstretch. Harvick sent the young driver spinning and out of his way.
Busch hit the wall hard and his No. 18 M&M’s car then burst into flames. Perhaps the recent rough stuff at Darlington is a result of this incident at Homestead-Miami Speedway last fall. See what Harvick had to say at Dover the next stop on the Road to Miami Nov. 20.
Photo courtesy: Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images Sport
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May 2, 2011
Road to Miami Nov. 20 is Laced with Profanity
It’s not unusual for drivers and their crews to have some heated words during a race, but some were particularly irate during Saturday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway. In 2004, Homestead-Miami hosted the first-ever NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, as Kurt Busch became the first to hoist the “Chase” hardware. After Saturday's race at Richmond, Busch is being criticized for some harsh words directed towards his Penske Racing team.
This fall, Homestead-Miami Speedway will host NASCAR during Ford Championship Weekend for the 10th consecutive year. For tickets click [here] or call (866) 409-RACE.
Photo courtesy: Drew Hallowell, Getty Images Sport
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April 15, 2011
What a Difference a Year Makes for Miami's Montoya
A year ago, Juan Pablo Montoya couldn’t buy a break. He had finishes of 37th (twice), 26th, 36th and 34th in five of the first eight Sprint Cup races and was buried in the standings.
Jamie McMurray, his teammate, won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. A year later, the roles are reversed. Montoya has four Top 10 finishes in the first seven races and is eighth in points while McMurray has struggled.
McMurray has just one Top 10 and has finishes of 35th, 27th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd to fall to 24th in the standings.
Montoya, who made the Chase in 2009, knows the feeling. He went through it last year.
“Last year, I think I put myself a lot of times in a bad position and it didn’t help and we did have a lot of bad luck,” Montoya said. “This year we came into the season really positive."
Miami's Montoya is looking to race for Sprint Cup title on his home track Nov. 20.
Photo courtesy: John Harrelson, Getty Images Sport
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March 23, 2011
Jr. Remains in the Top 10; California May Provide Early Answers for 2011 Chase Field
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished 11th and remained ninth in the standings after working his way back through the field following a pit road speeding penalty late in the race at Bristol. Next up for Earnhardt Jr. and the rest of the Sprint Cup drivers is Auto Club Speedway in California on Sunday, March 27 (2:30 p.m. ET, Fox TV, 2:00 p.m. MRN Radio)—Race 5 of 36 en route to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 18-20). Auto Club Speedway is a good predictor of who will make the Chase. Eight of the race's top-10 finishers went on to make the Chase in 2007, '09 and '10. Seven of the race's Top 10 finishers made the Chase in 2008.
More than 75 percent of the drivers who have been in the Top 10 in points after five races (following this weekend's race at California) made the Chase since 2007.Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship will culminate at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18-20.
Photo courtesy: Jason Smith, Getty Images Sport
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March 16, 2011
2011 NASCAR Season is Off to a FAN-tastic Start
The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season is off to a great start. After Race 3 on the Road to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18-20, there have been some hot storylines highlighted by Trevor Bayne's surprising victory in the Daytona 500.
Photo courtesy: Jamie Squire, Getty Images Sport
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March 14, 2011
ISC Adds PAYPAL, Chat Feature to Online Ticketing Websites
As part of its ongoing effort to enhance the ticket buying experience for race fans, International Speedway Corporation (“ISC”) announced today that it will now offer PayPal payments to fans on its ticket sales websites for its 13 major motorsports facilities including Homestead-Miami Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Martinsville Speedway. In addition, ISC is introducing a new interactive chat feature that allows purchasers to communicate directly with a live sales agent during the online purchase process.
Photo courtesy: John Harrelson, Getty Images Sport
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March 7, 2011
After Eighth Place Finish, "Failure is Unacceptable" for Dale Jr.
After finishing eighth in Sunday's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. emphasized how important his relationship with new crew chief Steve Letarte is.
Junior worked with Lance McGrew last season but is now paired with Steve Letarte, formerly Jeff Gordon's crew chief, when car owner Rick Hendrick shuffled the crews on three of his four teams before the 2011 season began.
Photo courtesy: John Harrelson, Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ February 8, 2011
New Start Time for 2011 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 20?
NASCAR released on Monday its start times for the 2011 season, with the times changed for the Chase for the championship in the Sprint Cup Series.
Six of the first seven Chase races will begin at 2 p.m. (EST), and the last three events -- Texas, Phoenix and the Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway -- will start at 3 p.m. (EST).
Photo courtesy: Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ February 4, 2011
Will Dale Jr. and Steve Letarte Combine for Miami Glory Nov. 20?
NASCAR's most popular driver has been paired with a new crew chief, Steve Letarte, for 2011. Will the duo be able to communicate well enough to be in contention for the Sprint Cup Series Championship Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
Photo courtesy: Chris Graythen, Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ January 25, 2011
GRAND-AM Launches Live Timing and Scoring
Fans of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will be able to follow all racing, qualifying and practice sessions from anywhere in the world by using the GRAND-AM.COM Mobile Site including Race 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway March 5.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ January 18, 2011
NASCAR Considers a Simpler System to Determine a Champion at Homestead-Miami
Word is brewing that there will be a change in the way NASCAR awards points after races which will go a long way to determining the 2011 Sprint Cup Series Champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 20.
Denny Hamlin saw his 15-point lead evaporate in the Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2010 Photo courtesy: Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ January 12, 2011
Will Last Year's Ford 400 Champion at Homestead-Miami Win it All?
With the start of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season around the corner, Carl Edwards is the odds on favorite to win hoist the trophy at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 20.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images Sport
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January 10, 2011
Not Just a Young Man's Sport
By the time the checkered flag waves at Homestead-Miami Speedway to signal end the 2011 Sprint Cup Series Championship, there will be eight full-time drivers who are 40 years old or older in NASCAR’s top division.
And their collective accomplishments are mighty impressive: Among the eight, they’ve won seven Cup championships and a whopping 225 races. Fan favorite Mark Martin turned 52 Sunday.
Photo courtesy: Chris Trotman, Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ January 5, 2011
South Florida Resident Montoya Joins Star-Studded Ganassi Lineup for Rolex 24
NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya will team with two-time defending IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, defending Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray and two-time IndyCar Series champ Scott Dixon in the No. 02 Telmex/Target BMW/Riley.
Chip Ganassi Racing has won 12 series championships, eight Rolex 24s, one Daytona 500 and four Indianapolis 500s.
Ganassi’s No. 02 Daytona Prototype team dominated the race’s first eight hours last year before mechanical problems forced an early retirement of the car.
Photo courtesy: Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ December 22, 2010
Best Off-Track Moves of 2010
As always, there were some great moves on the track in 2010, leading to an exciting Championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 21 where Jimmie Johnson prevailed as the series’ points Champion for an unprecedented fifth straight season.
But there also were some brilliant moves off the track, and some of them also led to exciting racing and thrilling finishes. Jamie McMurray (pictured below) had the biggest season of his career and the best for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing since he ventured into NASCAR
Photo courtesy: John Harrelson, Getty Images Sport
_________________________________________________________________________ December 14, 2010
Top 10 Funniest NASCAR Quotes 2010
There were some outstanding and colorful quotes made during the 2010 NASCAR season. The following is a look back at some of those words -- in chronological order -- as selected by NASCAR PR managers. Kurt Busch (pictured below) after losing to Jimmie Johnson, who claimed his 50th career victory and first at Bristol Motor Speedway:
"I'd rather lose to any of the [42] cars out there than this No. 48 car. I thought we had them beat. I gave it my heart, but to come up short ... it's a shame we didn't bring it home for a victory."
Photo courtesy: Jason Smith, Getty Images Sport
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December 7, 2010
Third Annual "Rides and Smiles" at Homestead-Miami Speedway
On Nov. 21st, Jimmie Johnson made NASCAR history with his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup Series Championship which was decided at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford championship Weekend. Saturday, Nov 27th, Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted champions of a different kind. Replacing the 3400 pound stock cars of NASCAR were some of the world’s most exotic street cars full of deserving kids.
Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA) and Homestead-Miami Speedway partnered to host South Florida’s third annual “Rides ‘N’ Smiles Track Day.” The guests of honor were patients from Baptist Children’s Hospital afflicted with chronic illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, brain injuries, and Crohn’s & Colitis. The children enjoyed ride-alongs in cars exotic even by Miami standards
Photo courtesy Homestead-Miami Speedway
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_________________________________________________________________________ December 3, 2010
Hamlin Left to Wonder 'What If'
Jimmie Johnson claimed the 2010 Sprint Cup crown by 39 points over Denny Hamlin. And in doing so, the driver of the No. 48 captured the first come-from-behind Championship in the seven-year life of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship—all hosted by Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"We had a great year, we won the most races that we ever won,” said Hamlin, who took eight checkered flags in 2010. “We contended like we've never contended before and just circumstances took us out of this one.”
Photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images
_________________________________________________________________________ December 2, 2010
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Won NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award for the Eighth Straight Year
The award was presented to Earnhardt during Thursday's National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers luncheon in Las Vegas during NASCAR's Championship Week celebration.
Photo courtesy: Jerry Markland, Getty Images Sport
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November 26, 2010
Tuned In: Impressive TV Ratings for Sunday’s ESPN Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway served as host to NASCAR’s one-race shootout to decide the closest Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship in history—and there were lots of witnesses to Jimmie Johnson’s unprecedented fifth straight title
Photo courtesy: Todd Warshaw, Getty Images Sport
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_________________________________________________________________________November 15, 2010
Living with diabetes: Bret Michaels 'finds a way to survive on the road'
With NASCAR's Ford Championship Weekend steadily arriving, musician and the 2010 Grand Marshal for Sunday's Sprint Cup Championship race Bret Michaels discusses the hardship of living with diabetes. He has type 1 diabetes, visited the emergency room for an appendectomy and a brain hemorrhage this year, and is preparing for heart surgery in January.
_________________________________________________________________________ November 8, 2010
Denny Hamlin is New Leader in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship
Denny Hamlin won Chase Race 8 of 10 en route to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 19-21). With the victory, Hamlin wrestled the points lead away from four-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson in the Chase for the 2010 Sprint Cup Championship. Kevin Harvick finished sixth to remain in striking distance of the title, just 59 points behind Hamlin. It is the closest-ever three-way Chase for the Sprint Cup this late in the season.
Photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images
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October 25, 2010
6-Point Chase Race is CLOSEST EVER
Denny Hamlin was pretty near perfect Sunday afternoon in winning Chase Race 6 of 10 en route to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 19-21). With the victory, Hamlin closed to within six points of leader Jimmie Johnson in the Chase for the 2010 Sprint Cup Championship. With just three races left before the Champion is crowned in South Florida, it is the closest Chase ever through six Chase races.
“Who said it was over?” Hamlin said of the Chase as he entered the media center after the race. “I told you it wasn’t over.”
Photo courtesy of Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images
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October 13, 2010
Four Drivers Aiming for Miami Glory
"I still think four drivers will be in contention for the title at the season-finale in Homestead: Johnson, Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch."
Photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images
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October 11, 2010
NASCAR Drivers Featured in "South Park" Episode
The creators of Comedy Central’s "South Park” didn't offend many NASCAR drivers with their season premiere Wednesday night titled, “Poor and Stupid.” Then again, many of those depicted in the episode haven’t seen it.
Photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images
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October 11, 2010
Kyle Busch Wrecks at Kansas
David Reutimann hit Kyle Busch in Sunday's race at Kansas Speedway as retaliation for earlier contact. Busch, a championship contender, was running seventh when wrecked, ended up finishing 21st. It cost him significantly in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship standings, as Busch dropped from third to seventh.
Photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images for NASCAR
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October 11, 2010
Four Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champ Takes Points Lead
Jimmie Johnson is looking for his fifth consecutive championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway, an unprecedented record in NASCAR history, after taking the lead in Sprint Cup Series championship standings at Kansas.
Photo courtesy of Rusty Jarrett, Getty Images Sport
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August 25, 2010
Feud Flares for Floridian
Zephyrhills native David Reutimann got more than he bargained for after shaking off an illness for an impressive second-place finish at Bristol. Reutimann and Kyle Busch bumped and nearly collided while fighting for the lead late in the race. Post-race comments led Reutimann to question Busch's intelligence.
Photo courtesy of Jason Smith, Getty Images Sport
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August 20, 2010
Racing Gloves Giveaway Contest
Homestead-Miami Speedway has teamed up with Elite Motorsport Apparel to give away a free set of racing gloves! The rules are simple:
Be the first to respond back with the correct answers to the five following questions and win the gloves! All of the answers have to be correct to win.
Also, check out Elite Motorsport Apparel on Facebook and visit their website for more great racing deals.
Contest Questions:
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In Fall 2010, how many championship races are being hosted at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
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What year did Homestead-Miami Speedway hold its first race?
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What other ISC track did current Homestead-Miami Speedway Track President Matthew Becherer work at prior to coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway?
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As of today, how many times has Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted Ford Championship Weekend?
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Who has the most career Sprint Cup race victories at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
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August 18, 2010
Danica, TK, and Dario forming an alliance
No, Survivor isn't filming an IndyCar drivers season, but drivers from different teams are banding together for one cause: themselves. IndyCar Series Champions Dario Franchitti, and Tony Kanaan, as well as Danica Patrick are all in support of a drivers' association that would work with the IRL to make sure that drivers and the league are getting the most from each other.
Photo Courtesy Darrell Ingham, Getty Images Sport
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August 10, 2010
The secret to fixing Junior's Slump
Many have tried to figure out what it's going to take to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. back in the winner's circle. Some say he doesn't have what it takes anymore, others say he's one or two adjustments away from competeting for a Championship. One man has the answer to see Junior return to glory.
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August 9, 2010
Ganassi gets weekend trifecta
Motorsports owner Chip Ganassi has already become the first owner to have drivers win the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and Brickyard 500 in the same year. However, this weekend Ganassi made more history as he saw his cars win in Grand-AM, IndyCar, and Sprint Cup.
(Photo Courtesy Nick Laham, Getty Images Sport)
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August 4, 2010
Junior goes one-on-one with Shaquille O'Neal
Last night, Dale Earnhardt Jr. went one-on-one with NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal on O'Neal's show "Shaq vs.", on the racetrack. Shaq was even spotted a lap in 5 lap race, but Junior still managed to pull of the victory.
Click Here to Watch the Highlights
August 2, 2010
Three-time HMS winner scores one for Roush
Ford Racing got their first race of the season on Sunday, courtesy of Greg Biffle. Not only was it a special moment for Ford Racing to get back in the winner’s circle, but Biffle, a three-time winner at Homestead-Miami Speedway was able to dedicate the win to team owner Jack Roush who is in the hospital after a plane crash.
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July 26, 2010
Drivers Sound Off on the ‘Have at it, boys’ mentality
Some say that it is the way racing used to be, and the way racing should be. Others say in an era where cars and tracks are running faster than ever, that the need for safety should trump aggression and revenge tactics. What do the drivers say? Do they prefer the new method where they can settle their issues on the track, or would they rather have NASCAR prevent things from getting out of control?
(Courtesy Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images Sport)
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July 22, 2010
Montoya and McMurray Give Ganassi Racing Chance at History
This Sunday, at the historic Brickyard 400, South Florida’s Juan Pablo Montoya, and Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray will have a chance to give owner Chip Ganassi a trifecta never before seen in motorsports: the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, and the Brickyard 400 all in the same year. What does Ganassi think of the opportunity?
(Courtesy Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images Sport)
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July 22, 2010
Fittipaldi to Hold Haitian Benefit
Racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi will be in Miami Beach on Sunday with some of the Homestead-Miami Speedway staff raising money to support kids in Haiti. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will have chances to get autographs, as well as pose with the pace car for Ford Championship Weekend, and the HMS IndyCar show car.
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July 20, 2010
"Burn Notice" at HMS
Homestead-Miami Sepeedway and the City of Homestead recently hosted USA Network for the filming of an episode of the series "Burn Notice". The episode, which features a car chase on the very road that fans will travel to see the IndyCar and NASCAR Championship Weekends, will air Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET
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July 20, 2010
Earnhardt Honors Troops with Special Paint Job
Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose car is sponsored by the National Guard, debuted a special paint job Independence Day weekend honoring several Guard members who had made significant contributions domestically and overseas.
The paint job which reads “8 Soldiers, 8 Missions” honored soldiers who had gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving their country.
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July 20, 2010
The Softer Side of IndyCar
Last November, South Florida’s Ryan Hunter-Reay lost his mother, Lydia to colon cancer. In her honor, Andretti Autosport unveiled Racing for Cancer to raise funds for cancer research. Fellow South Floridian Tony Kanaan was one of the first to donate to the cause, able to relate to Hunter-Reay after Kanaan lost his father to cancer at age 13.
However, Racing for Cancer is just one of many charities benefitting from IndyCar with almost every driver having a cause that they directly contribute to.
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July 19, 2010
Seven Scrambling to Make Chase Field
In the six years of the Chase, only four drivers who have been more than 100 points outside of the Chase cutoff at this point of the season have raced their way in. And only one – Brian Vickers, who made up 146 points – has done so in the three years since the field was expanded to 12 drivers.
No one has made up more than 150 points since Mark Martin rallied from 192 points out to make the inaugural Chase in 2004.
(Courtesy Andy Lyons, Getty Images Sport)
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July 19, 2010
Sprint Cup Championship Could Be Decided in One Race
NASCAR is looking to change the format of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Among the ideas being tossed around is a one race, winner-take-all Championship Race, giving even higher stakes to the final race of the year.
Other options include formatting a separate points system, doing a race-by-race elimination, or once-again adding more drivers to the Chase field as the sport did in 2007. Several drivers are hesitant about the changes.
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Track Calendar
For the 11th consecutive year, Homestead-Miami Speedway will serve as host to NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend in 2012. South Florida again will be the site when NASCAR crowns its Champions in all three of its top national divisions—the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series— the weekend of Nov. 16-18, 2012.
In addition to hosting high-profile sanctioned events, Homestead-Miami Speedway is “hot” more than 280 days each year in playing host to activities that include: race-car and manufacturer testing; car-club events; driving schools and ride-along programs; charitable events; film, movie and photo shoots; product launches; motorcycle racing; and the track’s weekly Friday night “T-n-T/Test ’n Tune” car competition that opens up Pit Road to the public as an alternative to illegal street racing. Don't miss a second of exciting motorsports action at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2012!
