NASCAR's Ford Championship Weekend is coming to the Homestead Miami Speedway this November. From the 16th to the 18th, the best of NASCAR's racers will come to compete for top honors. The Homestead Track, which was dedicated in 1995, opened its doors by hosting the Jiff Lube Miami 300. Sponsors such as Checkers, AAA, Pepsi, Gatorade and more ensure the track will be able to host NASCAR events for years to come. The events are a vital part of the city of Miami's tourism industry, as legions of NASCAR fans come from all over each year to see the big races.

The first race of the Ford Championship Weekend is the Ford 200 NTS, taking place on November 16th. The race is part of the Craftsman Truck Series. Originally named the Super Truck Series, the series started in 1994. This series is unique in that it's the only NASCAR series that uses modified trucks instead of cars. The name was changed after sponsorship changed. While seen as an oddity when it first started, the series has become far more popular in recent years. Those aren't the only changes the series has seen. Originally, the Craftsman races were shorter then a typical NASCAR race, only 125 miles.

The second race is the Ford 300 NBS is scheduled for the 17th. The 300 is part of the NASCAR Busch Series. The series is considered the minor leagues of the race circuit. Newer drivers looking to work their way up the ranks use this race series as a stepping stone to get to the next level. The series may be looking for a new name soon, however, since the sponsorship by Anheuser-Busch. 2005 marked a milestone in the series- the series' first international appearance. Drivers traveled to Mexico to participate in the Telcel-Motorola 200. In 2007, the series will move exclusively to ESPN2. The series used to air on FOX, FX, TNT, and NBC. Many high level racers use this series as a practice round, racing only to get a feel for the track for when their regular races come up.

Finally, there is the Ford 400 NCS. This race is part of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and will take place on November 18th. This race is the highest level that drivers can compete at. The NEXTEL series is made up of 36 races and lasts 10 months. There is a lot of motivation to reach this level, as the prize for each race is $4 million. The series, which began in 1950, has gone through many names changes. It was originally known as the Grand National series, but changed it is name to the Winston series in 1970 to reflect it is new sponsorship. It is likely to undergo another change soon, as NEXTEL merged with Sprint in 2005.

If you are a NASCAR fan, be sure to check www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or nascar.com for race times and to get your tickets as soon as they are available so you will not miss out on the races that have become some of the hottest Miami attractions.