Miami, the largest city in the state known for its citrus fruits, alligators, and stunning beaches, is also recognized as “The Sun and Fun Capital of America.” This vibrant city has a rich history in both Rhumba music and motor racing. Almost a century ago, in February 1926, the Fulford-Miami Speedway, a wooden oval track, hosted a 300-mile race won by Peter DePalo, the reigning champion of the 1925 Indy 500. The visionary behind this track was Carl Fisher, who was also involved in the construction of the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway, known as the “Brickyard.”
During the 1980s and 1990s, Miami became a sought-after destination for both IMSA sports car races and Indy car races. Ralph Sanchez, a Miami-based entrepreneur, played a key role in bringing these exciting races to the city. Sanchez’s passion for motor racing was sparked during his childhood in Havana, where he witnessed Juan Manuel Fangio’s victory in the 1957 Cuban Grand Prix. On February 27, 1983, Sanchez’s dream materialized with the Budweiser Grand Prix of Miami. Unfortunately, heavy rains disrupted the event, forcing its premature termination after only twenty-seven laps. Al Holbert, driving a March, was declared the winner.
The 1993 Toyota Miami Grand Prix marked the final edition of this prestigious race. Juan Manuel Fangio II, driving an Eagle-Toyota prepared by Dan Gurney, emerged as the deserving champion. However, the infamous split in American open-wheel racing also impacted sports car racing, dividing it into two factions: ALMS (American Le Mans Series) and Grand Am. The ALMS, owned by billionaire pharmaceutical Don Panoz, and Grand Am, owned by the France family, famous in NASCAR, engaged in fierce competition.
The ALMS races took place at the Miami street circuit for two consecutive years, 2002 and 2003. In the inaugural race, Audi drivers Frank Biela and Emanuelle Pirro emerged victorious, while Johnny Herbert and JJ Lehto claimed first place the following year. Meanwhile, the Grand Am series organized races at the Miami-Homestead Speedway. The first event, held in 1998 as part of the United States Road Racing Series, saw Butch Leitzinger and James Weaver triumph in their Riley & Scott-Ford.
In 2004, Venezuelan driver Milka Duno and her partner Andy Wallace secured victories in both the Miami Grand Prix and the Miami 250 races. They showcased their skills behind the wheel of a Crawford-Pontiac. The final Grand Am race at the Miami-Homestead Speedway in 2012 witnessed Max Angelelli, a former safety car driver at the unfortunate 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, and Ricky Taylor taking the top spot.
The final race of the 1985 season at the Tamiami Park street circuit marked the first race sanctioned by CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams). This particular race is most remembered for the intense rivalry and strong emotions within the Unser family that unfolded on the track. Young Al Unser Jr. was hoping his third-place finish would secure the series championship, as long as his father did not finish in the top four. In the final stages of the race, Unser Sr. managed to overtake Roberto Moreno, claiming fourth place and ultimately stealing the title from his own son by just one point. The victory, however, went to Penske driver Danny Sullivan.
In 1996, Indy cars made the transition to the newly built 2.4 km oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This particular season marked a significant split in American open-wheel racing, known as the Big Split. Jimmy Vasser emerged as the winner, triumphing over Gil de Ferran. The last Indy car race sanctioned by CART in 2000 was won by Max Papis.
From 2001 to 2010, Tony George’s IRL (Indy Racing League), initially established as a series exclusively for oval tracks, hosted events at Miami-Homestead Speedway. Sam Hornish Jr. claimed victory in three of the first four races, while Dan Wheldon achieved an impressive three consecutive wins from 2005 to 2007. Tragedy struck in 2006, when American driver Paul Dana lost his life in an accident during the warm-up session on Sunday.
In 2020, New Zealand driver Scott Dixon became the most recent champion of the Indycar race held in the Miami area.
The all-electric series made its only appearance in Miami at the Biscayne Bay Street Circuit in March 2015. Nicolas Prost emerged as the winner. It is worth noting that the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in the United States took place in Sebring in 1959, located approximately three hours drive north of Miami.
Liberty Media’s unwavering commitment to popularizing Formula 1 in the United States has led to the establishment of three Grand Prix races across the country, alongside the incredibly successful Netflix series Drive to Survive.
Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and the Hard Rock Stadium, is the mastermind behind the Miami Grand Prix. The temporary circuit, known as the Miami International Autodrome, surrounds the stadium and has a length of 5.4 km. It was skillfully designed by Apex Circuit Design and features a total of nineteen corners and three DRS (Drag Reduction System) zones.
Held on Sunday, the Miami Grand Prix with 57 laps serves as the sixth round of this year’s championship. So far, Max Verstappen is the only winner in the two races held.
The inaugural race attracted a crowded audience, drawing both paying spectators and high-profile celebrities. It was a grand display of American glitz and glamour, with the fake Marina becoming the talk of the town.
In conclusion, Tom Garfinkel, vice chairman, president, and CEO of the Hard Rock Stadium, aptly notes: “You could walk around the upper deck of the stadium and see all the turns of the track – and that is quite extraordinary.”
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo made an incredible play during yesterday’s game. With his exceptional skill, he managed to score the winning goal for his team. Fans were ecstatic with the player’s performance, once again showing why he is considered one of the best in the world.
The match was thrilling from the start. Both teams showed impressive performances, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who stood out. With his speed and accuracy, he dribbled past several opponents and managed to kick the ball straight into the goal. The entire stadium fell silent for a moment, before erupting in celebration as the ball crossed the goal line.
Fans did not spare praise for the player. On social media, hashtags with Cristiano Ronaldo’s name dominated the trending topics. Many fans shared videos of the incredible goal, praising the player’s talent. In addition, football experts also spoke out, praising Cristiano Ronaldo’s skill and determination.
This victory is another achievement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who already has an extensive list of titles and individual awards. His dedication to training and passion for the sport are evident in every match. It’s no wonder he is considered a football legend.
With this incredible play, Cristiano Ronaldo once again showed why he is one of the most admired and respected players in the world. His skill, talent, and dedication are truly inspiring. Yesterday’s victory was just another chapter in the brilliant history of this great player. Fans can hardly wait to see what he will do next.
