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Homestead-Miami Speedway Founder To Be Memorialized
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The Miami-Dade Board of County Supervisors will conduct a street co-designation ceremony at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m. EST recognizing track founder Ralph Sánchez.
A nearly six-mile stretch of SW 137 Avenue/Speedway Boulevard from Palm Drive to U.S. 1 in Homestead will be co-designated “Ralph Sánchez Speedway Boulevard,” in recognition of Sánchez, who passed away April 1.
Scheduled to participate in the ceremony will be members of Sánchez’ immediate family, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez and the Board Supervisors, City of Homestead officials, track President Matthew Becherer. Homestead-Miami Speedway Vice President of Operations and former Sánchez colleague Albert Garcia will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
The event itself takes place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Champions Club (via Gate 4), 1 Speedway Boulevard, Homestead, FL 33035.
“Homestead-Miami Speedway stands today because of Ralph Sánchez,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “His vision continues to pay dividends for this region, as the track hosts more than 280 events a year highlighted by NASCAR’s championship races and a worldwide audience.
"Ralph’s life story from his roots in Cuba, his childhood in an orphanage to a successful developer and racing promoter is legendary. I commend Miami-Dade County and the City of Homestead for acting promptly to create this honor that Ralph clearly deserves.”
Sánchez, who founded and managed the Grand Prix of Miami starting in 1983, led efforts to bring the motorsports facility to Homestead. He worked with City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County officials to make the track a reality.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the track took place on August 24, 1993—exactly one year after Hurricane Andrew wiped out much of Homestead. The track is credited with being a major catalyst for redevelopment following the category-five hurricane that leveled large portions of Miami-Dade County.
Businessman H. Wayne Huizenga joined Sánchez as a track partner before the facility opened two years after construction began with a NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series race in November 1995.
In 1997, Penske Motorsports (PMI) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) became partners with Sánchez and Huizenga. Less than one year later, PMI and ISC purchased Sánchez’ remaining interest in Homestead-Miami Speedway. ISC became the sole operator in 1999.
For more information, visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
A nearly six-mile stretch of SW 137 Avenue/Speedway Boulevard from Palm Drive to U.S. 1 in Homestead will be co-designated “Ralph Sánchez Speedway Boulevard,” in recognition of Sánchez, who passed away April 1.
Scheduled to participate in the ceremony will be members of Sánchez’ immediate family, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez and the Board Supervisors, City of Homestead officials, track President Matthew Becherer. Homestead-Miami Speedway Vice President of Operations and former Sánchez colleague Albert Garcia will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
The event itself takes place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Champions Club (via Gate 4), 1 Speedway Boulevard, Homestead, FL 33035.
“Homestead-Miami Speedway stands today because of Ralph Sánchez,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “His vision continues to pay dividends for this region, as the track hosts more than 280 events a year highlighted by NASCAR’s championship races and a worldwide audience.
"Ralph’s life story from his roots in Cuba, his childhood in an orphanage to a successful developer and racing promoter is legendary. I commend Miami-Dade County and the City of Homestead for acting promptly to create this honor that Ralph clearly deserves.”
Sánchez, who founded and managed the Grand Prix of Miami starting in 1983, led efforts to bring the motorsports facility to Homestead. He worked with City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County officials to make the track a reality.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the track took place on August 24, 1993—exactly one year after Hurricane Andrew wiped out much of Homestead. The track is credited with being a major catalyst for redevelopment following the category-five hurricane that leveled large portions of Miami-Dade County.
Businessman H. Wayne Huizenga joined Sánchez as a track partner before the facility opened two years after construction began with a NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series race in November 1995.
In 1997, Penske Motorsports (PMI) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) became partners with Sánchez and Huizenga. Less than one year later, PMI and ISC purchased Sánchez’ remaining interest in Homestead-Miami Speedway. ISC became the sole operator in 1999.
For more information, visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.
