MIAMI -Ready, Set, Go, NASCAR fans! Bidding begins Thursday, October 9 and runs through Sunday, October 19th for the opportunity to fish with one of 17 current and former NASCAR Winston Cup drivers at the 2nd Annual NASCAR Drivers & Teams ‘Hot Rods & Reels Ô charity fishing tournament. The event helps kick off the festivities of the Ford Championship Weekend at the NEW Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Held on Friday, November 14th at the Speedway’s infield lake, Hot Rods & ReelsÔ raises monies for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation to Cure Paralysis, and the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center, Speediatrics, at Homestead Hospital.

At least 17 NASCAR Winston Cup drivers will be put up for auction on Foxsports.com, keyword “eBay”, October 9-19th. Fans will have the chance to bid on the opportunity to go bass fishing with their favorite drivers at the Hot Rods & Reels™ event. Two spots will be available in each driver’s guide-equipped boat. Bidding for seats will begin at $500 for the chance to fish with the likes of defending NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Tony Stewart and fellow drivers Michael Waltrip, Bobby Labonte, Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, Robby Gordon, Ricky Craven, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Petty, Jimmy Spencer, Ken Schrader, Dave Blaney, Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton. Before holding a steering wheel during on-track practice later in the morning, they ’ll first battle each other using a rod and reel.

Other stock car racing luminaries including former driver turned legendary team owner Richard Childress, three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champ and current FOX Sports broadcaster Darrell Waltrip, and Donnie Allison of the famed ‘Alabama Gang’ will also be up for auction and compete in the tournament.

The event will take place on the Speedway’s 18-acre infield lake, which is 60 feet deep and stocked with rare peacock bass as well as largemouth bass. It has been featured on ESPN's "Great Outdoors" as well as in the Miami Herald.

“The inaugural Hot Rods & Reels™ tournament was a hit in terms of participation, fun and monies raised for charity," said event founder Darrell Gwynn. "This year's outing features even more excitement with an 8 a.m. start that will find both the fish and fisherman ready for action!"

“The Hot Rods & Reels™ fishing tournament merges two sports that always seem to go hand-in-hand: NASCAR Winston Cup racing and bass fishing during one of the biggest weekend’s in all of motorsports: Ford Championship Weekend,” said Curtis Gray, President Homestead-Miami Speedway. “We encourage race and bass fishing fans alike to participate in this unique event benefiting two outstanding charities: the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and Speediatrics.”

To bid on the opportunity to fish with these NASCAR greats, fans can visit Foxsports.com enter keyword “eBay.”

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research.

The Betty Jane France Pediatric Center, Speediatrics, at Homestead Hospital is a completely renovated 14-bed pediatrics unit designed with a motorsports theme. The only dedicated pediatric unit in deep South Miami-Dade, its design is to make children feel as comfortable as possible during a hospital stay.

The 2nd Annual NASCAR Winston Cup Drivers & Teams Hot Rod and Reels™ Charity Fishing Tournament, sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, R.J. Reynolds and Foxsports.com, takes place during the Ford Championship Weekend, November 13-16th at the NEW Homestead-Miami Speedway, home of the season-finales for the NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. For more information or to order tickets to the NASCAR Ford Championship Weekend, please call (305) 230-RACE or log on at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com



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