Homestead founder Ralph Sanchez dies

Ralph Sanchez announcing the Speedway in 1993

Longtime South Florida businessman and Homestead-Miami Speedway founder Rafael “Ralph" Sanchez died Monday morning. Sanchez, 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.

"I am saddened to learn of Ralph's passing and offer my condolences to Lourdes, Patricia and Ralph Jr," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “Whether it's the championship races that receive worldwide attention, the economic impact, or the countless memories made by fans that attend track events, it's directly attributable to Ralph and his foresight. The team at Homestead-Miami Speedway and racing fans in this region are indebted to Ralph. South Florida has lost a true visionary."

Sanchez, 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 Aug. 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 Sanchez 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 and International Speedway Corporation became partners with Sanchez and Huizenga. Less than one year later, PMI and ISC purchased Sanchez's 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 this November.

Al Garcia, the vice president for operations at HMS and the longest tenured track employee, worked for Sanchez starting in 1984. “He was charismatic, yet tough as nails," Garcia remembers. "Above all, Ralph was very loyal. You have to give him credit for pursuing his dreams in racing and foregoing what had been to that point been a lucrative career as a developer. I am very proud to have known Ralph and to have worked alongside him."

Sanchez was born in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba in 1948. He was placed aboard an airlift from Havana to Miami after his father became fearful for his son's safety because Ralph had been recruited to distribute opposition flyers and deliver supplies to forces fighting the Fidel Castro regime.

Upon his arrival in Miami, he lived with an aunt and uncle before the couple moved to Nicaragua. Sanchez then resided in a Catholic orphanage until he turned 18. Eventually, Sanchez's parents, his brother and grandmother joined him in Miami via freedom flights in 1966 and '67.

Sanchez earned an accounting degree from Florida Atlantic University, became a real estate salesmen, before moving on to become a land developer, and subsequently a motorsports promoter.

Plans for memorial services have not been finalized.