Optimism for the New Season

Heading into every new NASCAR season, I am very optimistic that the upcoming year is going to be better than the previous one, no matter how successful that might have been. In the past, that enthusiasm was based on various factors, some tangible others just a gut feeling. For the most part, that sentiment has come to fruition as our sport has improved dramatically in numerous areas over many years.

A lot of those reasons have affected us, specifically, here at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Most notably the introduction of the elimination-style Chase format for Sprint Cup in 2014, which consisted of a Championship 4 format, benefited us tremendously. The of use of that similar system – also comprising a Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway – for the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series is one of the factors for my optimism this year.From an overall standpoint, all of the promising young drivers who are in their rookies seasons in 2016, including Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher and Brian Scott, should give us a good glimpse into what the future of the sport will look like.

Between the unparalleled racing excitement that Ford Championship Weekend provides, in addition to all of the pre-race festivities that we are fortunate to offer, we are certain to have another entertaining display for fans of all ages in 2016 come November.

Speaking of the future of NASCAR, it was given a huge boost last week, and is the biggest source for my confidence this year as we embark on the 2016 season this weekend in Daytona. It is because of the new charter agreement that was announced by NASCAR and the race teams and its owners last week.New wrinkles that take place in NASCAR, or any sport for that matter, are typically things that have transpired in the past and maybe just tweaked for a new season. This charter agreement broke new ground for our sport in what will go down as a landmark day. You know when Richard Petty calls it “the second-most important thing” to ever happen to NASCAR,you can’t help but realize the magnitude of the announcement and the day itself.

For the first time since NASCAR began in 1949, the governing body and the race teams, its drivers and the tracks which host Sprint Cup races will be true partners. For the most part, the relationship between these entities had always been strong.That changes with this charter, as the association now becomes a partnership. There is an important difference, and it’s that variance which should ensure that the sport continues to grow and get stronger, both from an on-track standpoint and business perspective as well.

Many of the uncertainties which existed previously are now absolutes. With the charters come 36 guaranteed spots in what will now be the field of 40 for a Sprint Cup race – down from the 43 of past years. For now, that might be the only immediate on-track alteration which fans will notice. A majority of the

changes will be in the business model of sport, which should ultimately filter to the fans, in their overall experience while at the track, as they watch races on television and in the competitive aspect on the track.

Similar to other sports entities, NASCAR team owners now have the ability to build equity in their product and have the opportunity to sell something tangible. The teams and its owners will now work in conjunction with NASCAR , helping to make the sport better than ever for our fans, and as valuable of a property as it possibly can in the business world. For many of the race teams who before were uncertain on a week-to-week basis whether they would be running in a particular Sprint Cup event, it removes that level of doubt, and in turn makes them more appealing for potential sponsors.

Working in lockstep is healthy for any business entity, whether it is sports a Fortune 500 company. This was done with that as the main focus, guaranteeing a team effort, which is what sports is all about. When you watch the Daytona 500 this weekend, that teamwork will be on full display, not just with the drivers, crew chiefs, pit crew members and mechanics who make up a race team, but also all of the people who made Daytona Rising – the newly renovated Daytona International Speedway – a reality in what is the first-ever motorsports stadium. The grandeur and enormity of the final product is truly amazing, and I can’t wait to see it for myself, especially with more than 101,000 fans filling the seats.

And being a part of a tremendous team with NASCAR, ISC and Homestead-Miami Speedway is why we are all fortunate to be doing what we do. It’s another reason why I am looking forward to being at Daytona this weekend.

NASCAR ACTION THIS WEEKEND

Friday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway

Tune In: FOX Sports 1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

Saturday, February 20 at 3:30 p.m.

NASCAR XFINITY Series PowersharesQQQ 300at Daytona International Speedway

Tune In: FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

Sunday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

Tune In: FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

Feb. 19-21 Formula & Automobile Racing Association (FARA)

Feb. 20 Foam Glow 5K Run

Feb. 22 Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

Feb. 25 Miami Exotic Auto Racing

Feb. 26-27 24-Hour Ultra-Skate

March 4 Fast Lane Friday