I was unable to make this post right after Homestead-Miami because of some technical issues earlier and then suddenly, Thanksgiving was upon us. I apologize for this late post. All photos are my photos.
I went down to Homestead-Miami for the Championship race the weekend of Nov. 21-22. I thought I would share my experience with you.
It was pretty hot and humid in South Florida and the things I saw just threw me through a loop – good and bad!! Following are just a few highlights from my weekend:
MY OBSERVATIONS
Yes, Homestead-Miami Speedway is a beautiful track, and yes, lots of palm trees. But I think back in 1992, when Hurricane Andrew went through, it must have picked up the speedway and just dropped it in the middle of no where. I felt like I was back in Delaware driving through the Amish country. But instead of corn fields, I saw palm trees. I was on a road going to "No Whereville."
TRAFFIC
The town limits where the hotel was located was a ghost town. You would never know a major race was in town. Electronic signs were setup warning drivers of a "Major Event Nov. 21-22… expect delays…." but there was no need for that. Any signs at the hotel that a race was in town were the trucks parked in hotel parking lot for the souvenir haulers. There were no souvenir tents up in any parking lots, no race fans anywhere. The restaurants were empty as well. No traffic. The only traffic encountered was right after Sunday's Cup race… going down the dark, winding "country" roads. One thing that really had me mad were the cops escorting the driver's out in a makeshift double lane with their blinkers going. "What in the heck?" I paid good money to be there to watch THEM race…. they should wait for us fans to leave FIRST!!!
PARKING
Homestead-Miami Speedway had one thing right and that is their general parking. The general parking there is FREE and is right outside the track! I couldn't believe it! I hope Daytona picks up on this and takes better control of their parking outside of the track. You have to pay anywhere from $40-$120 to park right outside of Daytona International Speedway. Yes, Daytona does have free parking, but it's all the way in the back and you have to take a hot, scorching bus to the entrance after waiting in line just to get on. I applaud Homestead-Miami Speedway for doing this right. Also, if you need to pick-up credentials, there is free parking with an open-air tram ride to the infield. Awesome!!
GRANDSTANDS
You know that when you go to a race and your sitting in the grandstands, there are strict rules for clear bags only (depending on the track you are at) or any bag you have will be searched, etc… and the lines are backed up to get in because the security people are poking through your stuff. Well, I was amazed that they do NOT search your bags when your going into the pits or the garage area. Now that doesn't make sense to me. Fan's have access to hi-cost equipment, race cars, haulers, fuel tanks, pit boxes, etc.
The garage areas at Homestead-Miami Speedway are nice. It doesn't make you feel like your at a zoo looking at a bunch of monkeys like the way Daytona makes you feel – with the glass windows. If you've ever been to Daytona in the FanZone, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
GATE SECURITY
One thing I wish the tracks could get straight is their security officers working the gates. First, they are always so rude and treat you like trash no matter what track you are at. I was about to say something to one guy about getting rid of his attitude, but I was a good girl and kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to have to use my "bail money" that my friends had set up for me just in case ( LOL!! ) or risk getting booted out. They need to get on the same page and have the same rules. I saw people in the pits in flip-flops and shorts. What in the heck was that all about? Also, there were gates that were unmanned. That's probably how the flip-flop people got in. Normally the rule of thumb is jeans only, no sleeveless shirts, and no open-toed shoes. Humm….
One security guard let my friend and I in with our pit passes, and later, we tried to enter the area through a different gate where the security person was telling us we had to have an orange wristband and wouldn't let us in!! This was my first time with a pit pass since they made them "HOT" and "COLD". I didn't think anything of it, only that the pits were about to go "HOT." So, we made a visit to the Media Center, only to find out the orange wrist bands were for something totally different and that we were okay with our credentials. DUH!!!
Just a thought, here. Maybe NASCAR and the tracks can team up and have a Quality Control person who goes around to "test" where the problems are and have them fixed to make a race fan's experience a little more pleasurable and less stressful when down in the pits/garage areas.
I'll volunteer my time for that!
One thing that was really disappointing was the lack of drivers floating in the garage area. Yes, I saw Tony Stewart on Saturday, but that was it. I froze when he was 10 ft. away and my finger got click happy on my camera~! Needless to say, I have plenty of pictures of Smoke! There were sightings of Ryan, Denny, Jeff, Carl and Joey but that's only because they were on their way to the driver's meeting before the Nationwide race. And by the way… Carl and Joey were the only ones who stopped to sign autographs for the fans.
We need more Cup driver appearances at the tracks. I've noticed that a majority of the more popular drivers, such as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart, etc… have an extra charge for their hospitality appearances of up to $200. How is that fair to the race fan who spends their money to get to a race to watch them? Drivers need to start giving back to the fans.
THE TEAMS
My friend and I were able to "hang" with the #14 Office Depot team on Sunday. It was amazing watching these guys in action. They are all awesome!!! This team really clicks and you can feel the excitement in the air. For those of you who have never been in the
pits, it's a whole different prospective than sitting in the grandstands. The team actually starts their day around 9AM, setting up the pit boxes, bringing out the tires and getting certain tools set up and other equipment
as well. You would think that all they do is bring out the tires and they are ready to go. Wrong. A couple of crew members will prep the tires to get any dirt out of the wheel-well and get the lug nuts set. Others will check the air pressure and keep it where it's suppose to be. They were working on these tires for about an hour, just prepping them. There is a lot of work to be done prior to a race. And once that caution comes out, the teams are ready! No daydreaming at all! It was a totally awesome experience and I appreciated how welcome the #14 Office Depot team made us feel!
They would also stop and take the time to sign autographs and have pictures taken when requested by fans.
2009 NASCAR SPRINT CUP CHAMPION
The time is quickly approaching for Jimmie Johnson to be crowned Champion for the 2009 racing season on December 4th in Las Vegas. At the same time, he holds the record of winning 4 Championships in a row.
2009 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SEASON
My "2009 NASCAR Whinefest" is over. I'm just not sure if I want to yell "Thank heaven!" or "Finally!" I want to sorta leave this season in the past and be done with it. I just hope NASCAR looks back and makes it's tweaks that are needed for a much better and improved 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. They have to remember they can' keep blaming the economy for everything.
Don't get me wrong. I had a blast while down in Homestead-Miami. For myself being a race fan for so long, I tend to pick up on certain things which I have shared with you. I am also so very appreciative to have met my "Facebook friends" that I have, in person, on Saturday and Sunday. If it wasn't for Facebook, I wouldn't have met these wonderful people and I look forward to carrying these friendships for a long time to come!!!
For further pictures, I do have a Fifth Turn Blog Fan Page on Facebook. Become a fan and you will have access to all my photos from Homestead-Miami and more.
