Variable Banking makes Homestead races close
In an article published for the 2006 September issue of Speedway Illustrated, statistical data from the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season was calculated to determine the Series’ most competitive track. Of the four areas measured (lead changes, margin of victory, lap leaders and qualifying speed differential), Homestead-Miami Speedway tied for second (with Talladega) trailing only Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the top overall spot.
Of the top three, Homestead-Miami Speedway is the only track to host both an IRL and NASCAR sanctioned event and currently holds the closest margin of victory in the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series (0.017 seconds) and the current 2006 IRL IndyCar® Series (0.0147) season thru 12 events (see diagram).
Year Event Margin of Victory HMS Rank
2006 IRL Toyota Indy 300 0.0147 sec. #1 to-date
2005 NNCS Ford 400 0.0170 sec. #1 overall
In 2003, Homestead-Miami Speedway embarked on the most technologically advanced track reconfiguration project in the history of motorsports utilizing a state-of-the-art computerized design never before seen in race track design technology. The success of the first-ever computerized designed track has established the speedway as a leader in all of motorsports.
“By adding the variable banking, Homestead-Miami Speedway has become one of the premier tracks on both the NASCAR and IRL IndyCar Series circuits," said track president Curtis Gray. “International Speedway Corporation (ISC) set the industry standard with Homestead-Miami Speedway and became the first track in history to create a new banking design through computer modeled technology and created the template for which others will follow in their future designs. In doing so, fans now see competitive side-by-side racing that allows competitiveness from start-to-finish with the winning margins being less than one-tenth of-a-second. I believe we’ve succeeded."
At last year’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Ford 400 qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway, pole setter Carl Edwards’ margin of -0.758 seconds over Mike Skinner (43rd position) represented the second-closest differential between the fastest and slowest qualifier all season. Only the 2005 Advanced Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway half-mile oval (.0696 sec.) was closer.
Year Event Driver Position Time Differential
2005 NNCS Ford 400
Carl Edwards POLE 30.673 sec. – Mike Skinner 43rd 31.431 +0.758
What was once considered by many a boring flat course, Homestead-Miami Speedway’s 18-20 degree variable banked design has created thrilling side-by-side action from start-to-finish. Two-time Ford 400 champion and defending race winner Greg Biffle agrees.
“I think it’s the progressive banking [that makes the track so competitive], definitely," Biffle recently told Speedway Illustrated. “It’s obvious that they had the will to make it perfect. And they’ve made a dang-near perfect track for racing."
“We’re proud to host the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship and believe that our Speedway has proven itself as a championship track," added Gray. “Whether it’s open wheel or stock cars, Homestead-Miami Speedway has defined itself into one of the premier racing facilities in the nation."
The Chase for The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway November 17-19 as the final contenders in the Chase take their shot at becoming the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion. All three NASCAR Series, the Craftsman Truck, Busch, and NEXTEL Cup will crown champions ‘under the lights’ during Ford Championship Weekend.
Fans can still order tickets to the Ford 200 and Ford 300 race days and travel packages for Ford Championship Weekend by calling 866-409-RACE or online at Homestead-Miami Speedway’s official website www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or www.racetickets.com Homestead Miami PR
[Editor's Note: 100% throttle racing makes margins artificially close.]