Changing into Homestead-Miami Speedway Observe President in July of this yr, Guillermo Santa Cruz will oversee his first NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck weekend when Homestead hosts the midpoint of the Spherical of 8. However many — Santa Cruz included — would like to see the monitor return to its previous place as NASCAR’s season finale.
Talking in an unique interview with Motorsport.com, Santa Cruz expressed respect for NASCAR’s scheduling choices, however nonetheless spoke on a want to return the monitor to its former function.
“We might like to have the championship again,” Santa Cruz instructed Motorsport.com. “We make no bones about it. I am very open about it and it takes lots to carry a championship to any metropolis. The truth that it was right here for 18 years was clearly a plus as a result of we now have that custom. We’ve got the unbelievable climate that we sometimes have this time of yr. We’ve got the Florida Keys [a] 20 minute drive away. There’s lots to supply right here — not just for the drivers, however for the spectators and everyone who loves motorsports.
“Ideally in an ideal world, at some point the championship will come again. And I will inform you, I would not be doing my job if I wasn’t engaged on that and wasn’t making an attempt to make that occur. Sure, we wish the championship to return again. That is not a secret,” says Santa Cruz.
The final champion to be topped at Homestead-Miami Speedway: Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry in 2019
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Guillermo is new to the NASCAR world, however he brings with him a formidable resume within the sports activities media world. He is labored in sports activities media for greater than three years and has produced two FIFA World Cups on Univision, in addition to the Olympics after transferring to Telemundo. The majority of his profession was spent at IMG — a worldwide sports activities and tradition firm firm — spending 11 years there, the place he even did some consulting for NASCAR. Motorsport.com was curious to be taught why he selected to make this profession change lower than 4 months in the past.
“I feel one of many precept the reason why I took it’s as a result of I imagine Homestead is de facto the way forward for south Florida,” defined Santa Cruz, a Miami native. “There’s a lot occurring right here. There’s a lot occurring. The time was proper to make a change. I’ve had an extended profession in sports activities and this was a brand new problem. The course NASCAR goes was one other interesting issue about it.
“Greater than something: One, the problem and two, I knew it will be enjoyable. And enjoyable it has been.”
Whereas he admits he’s nonetheless studying the ropes of the inventory automobile racing world, he’s nicely conscious of the truth that this can be a monitor beloved by drivers and followers. It is usually celebrated as among the best for passing on the complete schedule, and that is an enormous argument for why folks wish to see it take its place again because the finale, which has been held at Phoenix Raceway since 2020.
“From a advertising and marketing and product perspective, that took care of a number of questions,” mentioned Santa Cruz when requested in regards to the monitor’s recognition. “The drivers prefer it and which means the product is nice, the racing is nice, so we do not have to fret about that,” mentioned Santa Cruz. “And to be honest to NASCAR and to me, that would not be my experience. I would not know easy methods to repair the monitor if that was a difficulty — if the competitors wasn’t good. However the competitors is nice. The drivers adore it. So in that regard, we’re nice.”
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway.com Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Jared East / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Regardless of dropping its place because the finale, Homestead nonetheless performs a pivotal function in deciding the 2024 champion. As considered one of three races within the Spherical of 8, a win on the 1.5-mile speedway means an automated entry for any of the eight remaining title combatants.
“Homestead is great take a look at of ability and talent and technique,” he mentioned of its present function within the playoffs. “It has carried out that all through its historical past and we are able to count on that right here on Sunday. Solely three spots are left so in case you’re gonna make it transfer, you gotta make it now.”
One other schedule transfer
Sadly, the Homestead date will transfer but once more in 2025. The monitor will likely be out of the playoffs fully, moved to an early season date much like its placement because the third spherical of 2021.
When requested about discussions concerning the race’s future and the potential for transferring it again into the playoffs in any manner for 2026 or past, Santa Cruz offered a diplomatic reply.
“Had been excited to have a race any time and we’re able to go a second’s discover,” he instructed Motorsport.com. “We take a number of delight in that right here. This monitor is all the time able to go.”
He went on the reward the spring date whereas additionally wanting in direction of the longer term, saying: “March is a good date … we welcome that and we’re completely happy to race in March. So far as the longer term after that, whether or not it is one other playoff race or one thing else, we’re open to that.
“There’s a number of decision-making that goes into these issues. The climate has lots to do with it, not solely right here, however in different components of the nation so it is somewhat little bit of a chess transfer with the way you do the schedule. We’ll be able to go each time they [NASCAR] need us to race. We’re good, however sure, we’d like to have the championship again.”
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