An Inside Look: Homestead-Miami

During Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, I was privileged to have an all-access pass.  From the garage area to the drivers’ meeting and the MRN truck to victory lane, it was a dream experience for anyone who is a NASCAR fan.  Of course, many photos were taken.  I’ve put together a brief video of my time at the races (below) that I hope you’ll enjoy.  Oh, and my favorite part about the trip might surprise you.  Check it out!

For more on Homestead-Miami Speedway, visit their website or NASCAR.com

2013 Season Comes to a Close

NASCAR wrapped up the 2013 season during Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week.  I was privileged to attend the races with an all-access pass!  Look for a video of my experience at the track coming soon.  In the meantime, check out this infographic I created recapping the weekend’s events and final championship standings.

(Click on the image for a clear and larger view of the infographic.  Information in the infographic is from Homestead-Miami Speedway, NASCAR, and Jayski).

For Camping World Truck Series driver Matt Crafton, simply starting the race was all that was necessary to clinch his first championship in the series.  He didn’t have the race he was hoping for but still managed to bring the Menard’s Toyota home in the 21^st position and on the lead lap to complete every lap of competition this season.

Brad Keselowski earned the win in the Nationwide Series, but the bigger story was the championship battle between Sam Hornish Jr. and Austin Dillon.  Dillon entered the day eight points ahead of Hornish, but with Sam near the front and Dillon struggling early on, the title seemed to be up for grabs.  In the end, Hornish crossed the line in eighth while Dillon came in 12^th, securing Dillon his first Nationwide Series Championship by three points.

For the Sprint Cup Series, all Jimmie Johnson had to do was avoid catastrophe as he entered the Ford Eco-Boost 400 with a 28-point cushion over second place Matt Kenseth.  Kenseth did nearly all he could do, starting on the pole and leading the most laps before finishing second to Denny Hamlin.  Johnson held steady with no problems, however, and brought the Lowe’s Chevy home in eighth to earn his sixth Sprint Cup Series Championship.  He finished 19 points ahead of Kenseth.