Homestead-Miami Speedway: A Neighbor's Guide From Palm Cay
In this article
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a motor racing track in Homestead, in south Miami-Dade County. It has a 1.5-mile oval and a road course, and it opened in 1995. It hosts NASCAR's three national series, and for years it was where NASCAR crowned its champions. NASCAR announced that its Championship Weekend would return here in 2026. The track is marked on the builder's neighborhood map for Palm Cay, D.R. Horton's townhome community in Florida City. This guide covers the track's story, what races there, and what living nearby means for a Palm Cay owner.
What Is Homestead-Miami Speedway?
It is a large racing facility built for stock car and open-wheel racing. According to Wikipedia's article on the track, the address is 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Boulevard, Homestead, Florida 33035.
The main track is a 1.5-mile oval. There is also a 2.3-mile, 11-turn layout that Wikipedia calls a "roval," a road course that combines part of the oval with the infield. Wikipedia lists a capacity of 43,000 as of 2019.
The track's official website is homesteadmiamispeedway.com. Check it for the current event calendar and tickets.
A Track Built After Hurricane Andrew
The speedway is tied to one of the hardest times in the area's history. Hurricane Andrew hit south Miami-Dade in 1992. Wikipedia says the City of Homestead, while recovering from the storm, persuaded developer Ralph Sanchez to build the track there.
The speedway opened on November 3, 1995. The track's address, 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Boulevard, carries his name.
In 2003, the track's turns were reconfigured with what Wikipedia calls a variable banking system, banked at 18 to 20 degrees.
What Races at the Speedway?
Wikipedia lists the NASCAR events held there:
NASCAR Cup Series, the top level of stock car racing
NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, the second level
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The track has a long history with other series too:
IndyCar raced there from 1996 to 2010.
Formula E, the electric car series, made its first visit in 2025, racing on the road course.
NASCAR has run the facility since 2019, when it bought the company that held the track's lease.
Event schedules change every year, so check the official website for what is coming up.
The Championship Track
For many fans, Homestead means one thing: the finish of the season. Wikipedia says the NASCAR weekend at Homestead was the season finale for all three national series from 2002 to 2019. For almost two decades, champions were decided on this track.
In 2025, NASCAR announced that Homestead-Miami would host its Championship Weekend again in 2026. Wikipedia reports the same return. Check the official website for dates.
Getting There From Palm Cay
The builder's neighborhood map for Palm Cay shows the speedway east of Homestead. Palm Cay is on the north edge of Florida City, close to Florida's Turnpike and U.S. 1.
The Turnpike has an exit at Speedway Boulevard. The National Park Service's directions to Biscayne National Park use the same exit. Palm Cay's north edge is SW 328th Street, also called Lucy Street, on the builder's site plan.
On a race weekend, roads near the track can be busier than usual. Check the event calendar when you plan trips on those days.
Living Near the Speedway
For a Palm Cay owner, the speedway is a neighbor you visit a few times a year:
Race weekends: watch a NASCAR race without booking a hotel.
Visiting family: a race is an easy plan when relatives come to town.
Other events: the track hosts more than NASCAR over the year. Check the official calendar.
Tips for Race Day
Buy tickets from the official website. It is the safest place for current prices and seating.
Bring sun protection. Much of a race day is spent outdoors, and South Florida sun is strong.
Bring ear protection. Race cars are loud up close.
Plan for traffic before and after the race.
Check the bag and cooler rules on the official site before you go.
Other Neighbors on the Builder's Map
The builder's neighborhood map for Palm Cay marks the speedway along with several other landmarks. They help you picture the area:
Homestead Air Reserve Base, to the northeast
Homestead Hospital, the area hospital, near Campbell Drive
Miami-Dade College, marked in Homestead
Homestead Station Shopping Mall, in Homestead
Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace, in Florida City
Florida City is also the last stop on the mainland before the Florida Keys. U.S. 1 heads south from here toward Key Largo, so the Keys are part of weekend plans too.
Hosting Friends on Race Weekend
A race weekend is a common reason friends want to visit. A few things help at a townhome:
Parking: each Palm Cay home has two assigned and owned spaces in front, per D.R. Horton. Ask where guests can park before the weekend.
Sleeping space: the Wittkop has 4 bedrooms, and the Angelo and Wittkop each have a first-floor bedroom next to a full bath, which works well for guests.
Pool time: the community pool and cabana give guests somewhere to cool off before or after a race.
More Places to Explore Near Palm Cay
The speedway is one of several landmarks near Palm Cay:
Coral Castle, the stone garden on U.S. 1 that started in Florida City
Biscayne National Park, with its mainland visitor center on SW 328th Street
Robert Is Here, the fruit stand on SW 344th Street
Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace in Florida City
About Palm Cay
Palm Cay is a D.R. Horton Express Series townhome community in Florida City. It has five two-story plans from 1,382 to 1,582 square feet. The Wittkop has 4 bedrooms; the other four plans have 3. None has a garage. D.R. Horton says each home comes with two assigned and owned parking spaces in front, which is handy when friends come over for a race. Our guide to parking space dimensions explains what fits.
The community includes a pool, cabana, dog park, tot lot and a walking area around the lake with fitness equipment. D.R. Horton describes them as completed.
Homes have recently started in the low $370,000s. Prices and incentives change, so call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers. Compare every plan in Palm Cay floor plans compared.
Common Questions
Where is Homestead-Miami Speedway?
Wikipedia lists the address as 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Boulevard, Homestead, Florida 33035. It sits east of Homestead in south Miami-Dade County, and Florida's Turnpike has an exit at Speedway Boulevard.
How long is the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
The main track is a 1.5-mile oval. There is also a road course of about 2.3 miles with 11 turns. The oval's turns are banked at 18 to 20 degrees after a 2003 rebuild.
When did Homestead-Miami Speedway open?
It opened on November 3, 1995. Wikipedia says the City of Homestead, recovering from Hurricane Andrew, persuaded developer Ralph Sanchez to build the track there.
What races are held at Homestead-Miami Speedway?
Wikipedia lists the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. IndyCar raced there from 1996 to 2010, and Formula E first raced there in 2025.
Was Homestead the NASCAR championship track?
Yes. Wikipedia says the Homestead weekend was the season finale for all three NASCAR national series from 2002 to 2019. NASCAR announced that its Championship Weekend would return to Homestead in 2026.
How many people does Homestead-Miami Speedway hold?
Wikipedia lists a capacity of 43,000 as of 2019. Seating and events can change, so check the official website when you plan a visit.
Is Palm Cay near the speedway?
Palm Cay is on the north edge of Florida City, near Florida's Turnpike and U.S. 1. The speedway is east of Homestead and reached from the Turnpike's Speedway Boulevard exit. It is marked on the builder's neighborhood map.
Call 561-704-0091 or Schedule a Palm Cay Tour to see the homes and the neighborhood with Simon.
Related reading: Coral Castle: A Guide From Palm Cay in Florida City, Biscayne National Park: A Guide From Palm Cay, Robert Is Here Fruit Stand: A Guide From Palm Cay, Parking Space Dimensions: Two Assigned Spaces at Palm Cay, Palm Cay Floor Plans: All Five Townhomes Compared, and the Palm Cay community page.