26 November 1999
DATELINE: Homestead-Miami Speedway NASCAR
Welcome back race fans to another exciting adventure of "Reflections from the
Seats" by your roving reporter ACE.
Today's adventure is brought to you from site of the NASCAR race November 14,
1999 at the Homestead Miami Speedway. After numerous attempts to secure my
payment in beer from the prior articles I have written for this distinguished
web site Mr. Gordon the head of theautochannel.com has relented to my
suggestions to go to Southern Florida and cover this race
In case this is your first time reading the "Reflections" articles. It is my
attempt to give the readers an insight of what it is like being an attendee
to a race event reporting on off track activities and events that I encounter
during the race weekend.
I have with me for this event an old gearhead friend of mine I usually call
Picklehead who will be performing the role this weekend as the photographer
for theautochannel. Being that his mother will most likely be reading this
article I will refer to the Pickle as " Mitch". Look for photos by Mitch to
appear in this section in the upcoming future. Please refer to the photo
archives
Ok Ace enough of the preamble. Homestead Miami Speedway is a 71,763 seat,
434-acre facility located in Southern Florida. Opened in 1995 by local
motorsports enthusiast Ralph Sanchez. Now owned by the International Speedway
Corporation [ISC]. I have been to this venue before to see the CART races.
[Mitch broke his foot here in a prior visit, which is a classic Ace story of
drunkenness and mayhem; you should have seen the look his mother gave me
after that incident. "If looks could kill" - but that another story].
I'd been to a number of racing venues in the United States and in my opinion
it doesn't get any better than this, OK. It sets the standard when I see
motorsports events at other venues. It's a pleasure to see a race at this
facility. If you haven't been to Homestead Miami take the time and plan on
seeing a race here, you won't regret it
The racetrack has everything a fan needs to make ones outing a pleasant
experience. Plenty of accessible parking. Points go to the person responsible
in dealing with the Florida Turnpike Authority. The toll near the track exit
was removed on race day to speed up the flow of traffic in and out of the
area. Give that person a raise. Someone is thinking smart.
The track has plenty of food vendors offering a wide variety for ones taste.
An interesting feature at Homestead is the " Brugal Rum Pavilion"; the
Pavilion is a permanent structure built during the Sanchez days. It offers an
interesting selection of alcoholic beverages versus the usual beer selection.
The menu included a variety of frozen rum drinks with such names as "Gear
Grinders", as well as other hard liquor drinks. Your diligent reporter took
the liberty of checking out the local drink offering so that you, the reader,
can be better informed. What's really missing since ISC has taken over the
facility are the cigar girls selling cigars. I remember they once had a cigar
roller available during race day, this was a true reflection of the South
Florida culture
On the food front an interesting selection is "AREPAS" which consist of
grilled sweet corn bread and mozzarella. I have only seen this at Homestead -
Miami, this is a treat that fans should check out the next time at this track
Out Witting the Winston
In my quest for that great American marketing tool known in my previous
articles titles "Tits, Ass and the Beer Wars", your trusty reporter set his
sights on this aspect of the event. Here where things got a bit
confrontational. The race series sponsor is the RJR Tobacco Corporation,
which sponsors the "Winston cup" race series. Due to the ongoing current
state of affairs in America today regarding tobacco, advertising and general
promotional activities, it's fair to say the RJR is a bit on the defense
side.
As Mitch and myself are walking in the vendor area I set my sights on what I
thought was the Americas perfect marketing vehicle. Attractive women in tight
outfits advertising Americas latest and greatest consumer needs. As I
approach the Winston girls thinking this would make a perfect photo
opportunity for a picture as well as an addition to the Ace beer girl
achieves [coming soon] here's where the situation got a bit confrontational.
The Winstonetts were far from friendly to have their picture taken and even
called over Winston security to clarify the situation. After stating our
intentions of just having ones picture taken. I believe NO was their
response. At this point Mitch decides he will enter Winston's promotional
giveaway. This is were if your over 21 years of age and have valid I.D and
produce a pack of RJ Reynolds cigarette [not sure on if all RJR brands are
valid or just Winston] you will get a half a carton of cigarettes with a
racing video tape included.
Well at this point in the events we were not very welcome. As Mitch gives
try's to get some cigarettes the security personal asks Mitch to produce a
pack of Winston or another RJR brand. To their surprise I happened to have
picked up a pack of free cigarettes in the media center. Well all hell breaks
loose as they claim that the cigarettes that I have produced is a promotional
giveaway pack and therefore is not usable for this giveaway. It seems there
are cryptic writing on a side of the packs [unopened in cellophane] that the
Winston guardians are highly trained to detect. Well we get a stern and
rather unpleasant warning that were not welcome at this booth. At which time
I have retrieved my media center promotional cigarettes and leave.
We outwitted the Winston by removing the cellophane wrapper and proceeded to
go to another Winston booth none the less wiser. I pick up my half a carton
of cigarette with video tape included titled " Straight Talk Video Magazine".
Mitch has decided to take up smoking with this newfound booty [I am sure his
mother is thrilled to hear this]
First let me state that I think RJR has done a fantastic job as sponsor of
the Winston cup. Their attitude reflects pressure applied on them from the
government and trial hungry lawyers. Unfortunately they are not a bunch of
happy campers, as we witnessed at Homestead. Please Mr. Beer company increase
your Winston cup viability, bring on the beer girls, bring back the smiles!
The Business of Racing
NASCAR is the major league of racing. It's at a serious level and the
business sponsors who are involved are serious as well. A number of companies
this weekend have made announcements to increase their presence in NASCAR.
NBC ups the Ante
Just prior to race weekend the unified television package was announced for a
total $400 million per year. NBC, which has lost the NFL television rights,
is looking to tap into NASCAR's vast viewing audience and solid rating on
Sundays as a programming alternative to football. The network had already
negotiated the rights to this Homestead race prior to the TV package
announcement. I guess they view this as a warm up until 2001. The NBC
personnel stood out in the crowd, I guess it's the blue blazers that gave
them away, not your usual race day attire [I would have stolen the hubcaps on
their cars for coming to a race dressed like that]. Not only did they seem
out of place they were kind of uptight looking. My advice to them is to lose
the blazers and maybe have some NBC marketing girls with peacocks on their
chests to really catch the crowd's attention. On local front, the NBC Miami
station has an interesting reporter named Neki Mogham who does reasonably
good commentary reporting from the track. Keep your eye on her in the future
GOD, COUNTRY, NASCAR, GO MARINES
MARINES- Team Marines Chevrolet - new sponsor of the Hank Parker Jr. Bush car
First, let me state that it's not your tax dollars being spent here, the
sponsorship money is being put up by a sponsor who was in the Marine Corps.
It a pleasure to see the armed forces increasing their visibility in
motorsports
Also to note the Coleman Corporation the proud manufacturer of camping
equipment has also announced that they will increase their visibility at the
RV sites as well as camp grounds around the racetrack. Nothing like getting
close to the people who use your products. Best of luck.
Race day- you know the results, Dale Jarrett wins the championship and Tony
Stewart wins the race. The view from our seats were fantastic, we sat up high
with no obstructions whatsoever. Also MRN broadcast the race, the reception
was superior. If they could just get rid of the commercials it would be
better. I believe a good time was enjoyed by all. If you can see an event at
this facility take the time and go. You won't regret it.
Ok race fans that brings you another adventure in the " Reflection from the
Seats" by ACE. If you like the article please tell Mr. Gordon, I am still
trying to secure by payment in beer from Old Bob.
To all race fans and their families, happy holidays, till then see you in the
seats - ACE
LONG PUBLISHERS NOTE: The ownership and management of The Auto Channel assumes no
responsbility(at all) for the views taken in these "FROM JUST ANOTHER FAN TO YOU" articles.
We at TACH believe in a strong first ammendsment and that all viewpoints
have a right to see the light of a CRT.
I hope the powers that be/are can rest their personel animosity long
enough to let ACE take his tongue out of his Cheek
(although I really think that the ideas spouted forth within are heartfelt
and were made after years of experience in the sooty world of Motor Sports)
...happy NASCAR NBC and to all a good night.