By Compiled from Times wires
Published June 5, 2003
MIAMI - While the majority of Winston Cup drivers seem pleased that Homestead-Miami Speedway is adding significant banking as part of a $10-million improvement project, there was concern expressed during a recent drivers meeting that no open advanced testing would be allowed on the track that hosts the season-ending race that could decide the championship.
"Will it be done right is the only thing that concerns me," veteran driver Bill Elliott said. "It's like at Texas Motor Speedway for the first time. There were some problems with some areas on the track. It's hard to get through those things when you go down to the last minute.
"But it's still a long ways down the road."
Homestead hosts the season finales for NASCAR's top three series - Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Trucks - in mid November.
If all goes according to schedule, speedway president Curtis Gray said the project will be completed in early October. Then the new asphalt will need up to another month to "cure."
Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, said that because of the tight time frame, the only advanced testing on the track will be conducted by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, the exclusive tire supplier to the three series.
The tire requirements will be dramatically different because of the change to the track's design and the new asphalt. The 1.5-mile true oval that used to have fairly flat turns of 6 degrees is being reconfigured to have unique variable banking with grooves of 18, 19 and 20 degrees that are expected to increase speeds by 20-25 mph.
"Banking creates load, and tire load is a critical component of tire durability," said Rick Campbell, team leader for Goodyear's stock car tire development. "Obviously, whatever we do, safety is our primary objective."
NASCAR will have a special mandate on who can conduct the tire tests.
"We've asked Goodyear to make sure it is not done by one of the title contenders," Hunter said.
The importance of the race and the uniqueness of the track - designed like no other on the circuit - mean NASCAR will allow all teams one extra day of practice during the Ford Championship weekend.
Winston Cup car owner Ray Evernham, who won three Cup titles as Jeff Gordon's crew chief, likes the idea of an unfamiliar track.
"That way nobody has an advantage," he said. "In a way, that's how a championship should end."
HAMILTON RETURNS: IRL driver Davey Hamilton returned to the track Wednesday for the first time since a crippling accident two years ago at Texas Motor Speedway.
Hamilton was driving a two-seater car, giving rides to people at the same track where in June 2001 he severely injured both legs and feet.
"Obviously, the last time here wasn't that pleasurable by any means," Hamilton said. "On the other side of the coin, it was a situation where I know what happened, it's not a mystery. There was nothing I could do."
SAFER SEAT: Safety-conscious Pro Stock racing star Warren Johnson has introduced a formfitting, carbon-fiber seat that he hopes will help drag racers avoid serious injury.
Six-time champion Johnson and son, Kurt, began using the new seat last month.
