The History of Homestead-Miami Speedway |
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| Sept. 1992: |
After Hurricane Andrew leaves its trail of destruction, longtime
Miami motorsports promoter Ralph Sanchez negotiates a deal with
Homestead City Manager Alex Muxo to build a facility that will
revitalize the city. |
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| Aug. 24, 1993: |
Groundbreaking takes place for the new 434-acre facility that will
be known as Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS). Businessman H. Wayne Huizenga becomes a partner in the project prior to completion. |
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| Nov. 3, 1995: |
Grand opening ceremonies for the Speedway are held and NASCAR debuts
in front of a sold-out crowd. Executives and dignitaries are given the
honor of cutting the ribbon, and Dale Jarrett wins the Nov. 5 Jiffy Lube
Miami 300. |
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| Nov. 4, 1995: |
Former Daytona 500 champion Geoffrey Bodine becomes the
Speedway's first race winner in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
exhibition race. |
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| Nov. 5, 1995: |
Dale Jarrett wins the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series Jiffy Lube Miami
300. |
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| July 23, 1997: |
Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI), and International
Speedway Corporation (ISC) become partners with Sanchez and Huizenga. |
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| March 15, 1998: |
PMI and ISC acquire Sanchez's remaining interest in
Homestead-Miami Speedway, and longtime Penske employee Brian Skuza is
named president. |
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| Nov. 14, 1999: |
The Speedway hosts NASCAR's premier division, the Winston Cup
Series, and Tony Stewart wins the Pennzoil 400. Prior to the event,
Homestead-Miami Speedway nearly doubles its seating capacity and adds a
massive expansion in Turn 1 under the direction of new track President
Curtis Gray. |
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| April 8, 2001: |
The Indy Racing League makes its debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway,
and Sam Hornish Jr. wins a thrilling victory at the inaugural
Toyota Indy 300. |
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| Nov. 17, 2002: |
Homestead-Miami Speedway reaches another milestone when it is
awarded Ford Championship Weekend. For the first time, each of NASCAR's
premier series—the Winston, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series—concludes
its season and crowns its champion on the same weekend at the same
track. |
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| May 2003: |
The Speedway undergoes the most technologically advanced
track-reconfiguration project in the history of motorsports: a $12
million re-banking project that transforms the track from a flat
6-degrees to a computer-designed 18-to-20-degree variable banking system
in the turns. |
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| Nov. 16, 2003: |
Ford Championship Weekend takes place on Homestead-Miami Speedway's
new banking, drawing rave reviews from fans. |
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| Feb. 29, 2004: |
Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts the Toyota Indy 300, the first
IndyCar event to take place on the new banking. Sam Hornish, Jr.
beats Helio Castroneves in an exciting neck-and-neck finish. |
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| Nov. 21, 2004: |
The first Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup finale takes place at the
Speedway, as Kurt Busch secures his first NEXTEL Cup Series
championship. |
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| March 6, 2005: |
The Speedway welcomes the Toyota Indy 300, as Dan Wheldon
snags his fourth career IndyCar Series victory. |
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| Nov. 1, 2005: |
The Speedway completes construction on the new Turn One tower, which
includes the Champions Club premium-seating level and private suites. |
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| Nov. 18, 2005: |
Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts Ford Championship Weekend under the
lights for the very first time. |
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| Nov. 20, 2005: |
Tony Stewart wins the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship at
Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Greg Biffle wins his
second consecutive Ford 400. |
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| March 26, 2006: |
Dan Wheldon wins the Indy SpeedJam 300. |
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| Nov. 19, 2006: |
Jimmie Johnson wins the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship, and
Greg Biffle wins his third consecutive Ford 400. |
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| March 24, 2007: |
Dan Wheldon wins the Indy SpeedJam 300. |
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| Nov. 18, 2007: |
Jimmie Johnson wins his second consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
Championship, and Matt Kenseth takes the checkered flag in
the Ford 400. |
