RACE RECAP - Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Next Fast Lane Friday - August 1

Get ready for August’s Fast Lane Friday presented by theTicket Clinic!

We have high hopes that the weather will be as beautiful as ever, but here is how to keep in touch for weather information and all our #FastLaneFriday updates!
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And make sure to tag your photos with #FastLaneFriday! Here are some from last month:

RACE RECAP - NEW HAMPSHIRE

Driver Spotlight: Aric Almirola

Photo credit: Chris Graythen, Getty Images Sport

Aric Almirola made history in several different ways with his win at the Coke Zero 400 on Sunday, July 6. Not only was this Almirola’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career win, but he also has virtually guaranteed a spot in the 16-driver grid in the NASCAR Chase For The Sprint Cup under the new format.

To add to his successful day, Almirola brought the No. 43 car - most recognized for being driven by Richard Petty, who ran all but 60 of his record 1,185 starts and claimed 192 of his record 200 wins in the car - to Victory Lane on the 30^th anniversary of Petty’s 200^th, and final, NASCAR Cup win.

There was no shortage of excitement for the Tampa native, driver of the No. 43 Ford Fusion, who along with earning his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory, also became the first driver of Cuban-American descent to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Growing up, Almirola grew up watching numerous races at Daytona International Speedway. His journey to Victory Lane began when he was 8, and he has raced everything from go-karts to super late models to trucks in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series before receiving a life changing phone call in 2012. It was then that he received a call from Richard “The King” Petty to take the wheel of the No. 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car.

It was no easy road to Victory Lane on Sunday, as Almirola weathered the storms on Sunday after rain postponed the originally-scheduled Saturday night Coke Zero 400. He came out on top after two multi-car wrecks at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, and was at the front of the pack when the red flag came out on Lap 112 of 160 due to storms in the area.

With that, Almirola earned his first victory, and could be driving his way to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.

THE RECAP - DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

A Letter from the President

To the Homestead-Miami Speedway Community,

In 2002, NASCAR made a major change of event when they decided to crown all three of its national touring series champions at the same track on the same weekend, making history among stock car racing competitors and fans nationwide. When Homestead-Miami Speedway was declared the track to host all three championships – we knew we had an opportunity to create a world-class event that would be memorable for both the fans and drivers alike.

It was only fitting that we have the perfect sponsor to carry out the new championship weekend – and with the addition of Ford Motor Company, Ford Championship Weekend was born. 

Through the success of Ford Championship Weekend, we were able this past weekend to announce an extension of the contract to continue Ford Championship Weekend for five more years, marking one of the longest weekend sponsorships in NASCAR.

Overall, we have you, the fans, to thank for this. Without your help and support of Homestead-Miami Speedway, Ford Championship Weekend would not exist. Whether it’s the best-in-class midway display provided by Ford, the celebrities at each race weekend, the collaboration surrounding our pre-race show including the iconic Ford Mustangs, or the Ford pick-ups pulling the American flag down the frontstretch at the conclusion of the National Anthem; there is no denying that Ford Championship Weekend delivers a first-class experience.

We can’t wait to host another championship weekend this November, and continue Ford Championship Weekend for another five years. Homestead-Miami Speedway is truly a driver’s track, giving drivers the ability to put their cars anywhere they want between the white line and the wall, which is evidenced by the fact that rubber is on the track from entry to exit in Turns 1 and 2, and in Turns 3 and 4. This makes it the perfect track for a winner-take-all format for a championship. Hold on to your seats, because you are not going to want to miss this in November.

Matthew Becherer, Homestead-Miami Speedway President