HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) _ As pit crews made last-minute inspections to their cars at NASCAR's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani stressed the need for America to break its dependence on foreign oil.

Giuliani likens the pursuit of energy independence and the development of alternative energy sources to the race to put a man on the moon several decades ago.

Giuliani said, "Now it's a matter truly of national security. We have to pursue all of those alternatives that exist.''

Giuliani says the U.S. needs to focus on domestic sources of oil, as well as oil from friendly countries like Mexico and Canada. He says conservation also will have to play a role.

Giuliani and his wife Judith attended the season-ending race that would decide the winner of this year's NEXTEL Cup.