Homestead-Miami Speedway Pushes State for Security Funding

When talk began last year of NASCAR's plan to change the point system that determines the Nextel Cup winner, Homestead officials knew the new format would boost attendance at the Ford 400 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

So police and city leaders lobbied state officials for money to boost security at the track. Their request was denied -- but they didn't give up hope.

They gave it another shot Wednesday, when Homestead City Manager Curt Ivy traveled to the state capital seeking $2 million for the November competition. Ivy told the Senate Domestic Security Committee that the event could be a ''target-rich environment'' for terrorists.

But Ivy got another chilly reception from state senators, who asked why the state should kick in when Miami-Dade County isn't contributing.

''The money that goes down to Dade County is going into a black hole,'' Ivy half-jokingly said, before quickly retrenching and saying that Dade County is using its domestic security money on its airport and seaport.

Proponents of the pitch -- including Homestead Councilman Jeff Porter, Police Capts. Joe Villaronga and Scott Kennedy, and Curtis Gray, president of Homestead-Miami Speedway -- hope the state money somehow comes through.

Last November, more than 160 police officers from agencies in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties helped with security throughout the weekend.

Before NASCAR's point system changed, there was less excitement in watching Homestead's race, said Lillian Delgado, a city spokeswoman.

A driver could finish dead last during the speedway's FORD 400 race and still walk away with the championship title.

The changes brought new enthusiasm to the races, transforming the FORD 400 event into a major attraction.

''This past year, it became the Super Bowl of races,'' Delgado said. ``It's become a huge national event; people come from all over the world to the races.''

For example, last year the Ford 400 drew more than 80,000 people to Homestead. This year the number is expected to increase to more than 100,000, Delgado said.

But it's not just the growing popularity of the event city officials are worried about.

Delgado said there are plenty of reasons for concern in the post-Sept 11 era, including the speedway's proximity to the Homestead Air Reserve Base and the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant.

''Other events of this magnitude do get help,'' Delgado said. ``They'll request it and continue to request it until they get the money for new security measures.''

If Homestead prevails, it would use the money for electronic message boards, a mobile command post outside the racetrack, additional surveillance equipment and a cross-agency radio system, officials said.

Plans also include off-site shuttles and trolleys to limit parking near the track.

''During any event like this, where you have so many people in one place at one time, there is always going to be a concern,'' Delgado said. ``This is something that is very important and necessary.''