Homestead-Miami Speedway

About the Venue

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Homestead-Miami Speedway’s Art Deco architecture, considered beautiful even on South Beach in Miami, its massive size and vibrant colors has help it been labeled as one of the most beautiful sports facilities in the US.

With the skyline of Miami visible to the northeast, this 434-acre facility is in one of the most ideal locations of any speedway. Opened in 1995, the 72,000-seat HMS is one of South Florida's largest sports stadiums.

In 1997, the complex's 1.5-mile oval underwent an $8.2 million reconstruction that transformed the former quad-oval and its "short-chutes" between the turns into a continuous turn oval. The new design provides more competitive and even more exciting racing.

In 1999, the speedway nearly doubled its seating capacity, raising the existing grandstands from 32 to 48 rows while adding a massive expansion in Turn 1.

In 2003 the speedway underwent a track re-configuration project that increased the track's banking from a flat 6-degrees to a computer designed 20-degree variable banking system in the turns.

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City Guide

Miami

A little south of Miami is Homestead, FL, and the Homestead-Miami Speedway.  The Speedway opened in 1995 with the Busch Series Jiffy Lube Miami 300; its first Nextel Cup Race was held in 1999.

The Speedway is on 600 acres near the coast.  There are 30,000 parking spaces that are free.  There are 1,300 parking spaces for RV’s that are not.  Those spots are in the Palm Drive RV Log at the track.  You have to have at least two race tickets to snag a spot here, and they’ll direct you to a spot when you get there – no reserving a particular space.  RV lot fees and availability vary for races; call (305) 230-RACE for details.

During the Day

Biscayne National Park: Only five percent of this park is above water. The rest is a marine world, perfect for snorkeling, scuba dives, kayaking or boating. Daily guided snorkeling trips come with a mask, snorkel, fins, snorkeling vest and instruction. Licensed scuba divers can sign up for a dive with two air-tanks and weights included. (Free–$$$, 9700 SW 328th Street, South Miami-Dade County, (305) 230-1144, www.nps.gov/bisc)

Deep Sea Fishing: Just think of the bragging rights when you take home the marlin or sailfish you caught. There are several companies that offer deep sea fishing excursions, but here are a couple that can get you out on the water:

Kelly Fishing Fleet: Full-, half-day, and night trips. Rods, tackle and bait are provided – (305) 945-3801, www.miamibeachfishing.com

Reward Fishing Fleet: Trips include bait, rod, reel, and tackle. – (305) 372-9470, www.fishingmiami.com

Eco-Adventure Tours: Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department offers guided nature, adventure, and historic tours involving biking, canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, and bird-watching. Usually, you’re provided with everything you’ll need—a bike, scuba mask and snorkel, kayaks or canoes. Tours are geared towards a variety of fitness levels. Some are free, some cost money. (Free–$$$, (305) 365-3018, www.miamidade.gov/parks)

Ft. Lauderdale: Ft. Lauderdale isn’t just for drunken college kids on spring break anymore. With the deepest harbor in Florida, it’s a great place to watch the boats or hop on one for a river tour, some with dinner and entertainment. There are wildlife safari tours, historic homes, dining, clubs, and, of course, shopping. (www.sunny.org)

Mystery and Mayhem Crime Coach Tour: Learn where all the bodies are buried, and who did what to whom, on this entertaining tour of Miami’s shady past, from Al Capone to Gianni Versace. Tours happen only once every few months, so call before you head to town and find out when the next one is scheduled. ($$$, 101 W. Flagler St. Miami, (305) 375-1492, www.historical-museum.org)

Shopping

Coconut Grove: Originally this neighborhood was a bohemian village, now it’s one of the best areas for strolling and browsing through shops. There are gift shops aloing the open-air promenade called Streets of Mayfair, and upscale boutiques along CocoWalk.

Coral Gables: Called the City Beautiful, this was one of the country’s first planned communities. The village of Merrick Park, a very upscale, and very large, outdoor shopping complex hosts the city’s Miracle Mile including shops like Giorgio’s European Clothing, Books & Books, and Modernism Gallery.

Little Havana: Go to Calle Ocho (8th Street) between SW 27th Avenue and SW 12th Avenue to find shops selling cigars, baked goods, shoes, furniture, and record stores specializing in Latin music. Go to El Credito Cigars, where workers at wooden benches turn tobacco leaves into cigars by hand.

South Beach:  This 10 mile area packs in the shops… names like Kenneth Cole, Sephora, and Armani Exchange, along with lesser known names selling everything from fashion to attitude.