Charitable Events

Since its launch in 2006, the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive has collected enough pints of blood and names for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry to potentially save more than 17,000 lives. On Sept. 11, Homestead-Miami Speedway again will serve as host for the Drive, a partnership between the NASCAR Foundation, Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Hendrick Marrow Program and 30 NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup tracks.

“The generosity of [our new partners] Nationwide Foundation and Nationwide Insurance has allowed us to increase our goals for this year’s event and ultimately give more patients a second chance at life,” said Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and founder of the Hendrick Marrow Program.

Donors also can take a picture with the Ford 400 Trophy to be presented to the winning Sprint Cup driver Nov.22. Of course, the truest gift arrives when a donor is identified as eligible to share the gift of life. Each day, more than 38,000 blood donations are needed, and 6000 people are searching for a marrow match. On Sept. 11, the Blood & Marrow Drive will welcome donors at NASCAR’s Championship Track.

Since its inception in 1999, the Pineapple Gala has raised more than $1 million for children’s services at Homestead Hospital. One of the flagship fundraising events of the Homestead Hospital Foundation, the Gala is organized by a group of volunteers from the community.

Homestead Hospital’s flagship fundraising event takes place on Friday, Nov. 13,  2009 in the Chalet Village at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Proceeds from the Pineapple Gala benefit “Speediatrics,” the Betty Jane France Children’s Emergency Center at Homestead Hospital.

In the past, NASCAR drivers attended and created original paintings with children of the community. The paintings were then auctioned to the highest bidders. NASCAR teams have sponsored the event and contributed items for the auctions. Attendance jumped to more than 700 guests.

The Speedway venue and the event’s “Homestead Casual” attire contribute to the relaxed atmosphere that makes the Gala unique. In recent years, the Richard Petty Driving Experience has been a popular activity adding to the Gala’s success.

The Pineapple Gala’s one-of-a-kind venue, philanthropic cause and local celebrity emcees have attracted guests from throughout south Florida and the Florida Keys, making it one of the signature social events in south Miami-Dade County.

Held annually at the Miami Beach Marina in the heart of Miami’s South Beach, the Sailfish Cup fishing tournament takes place Nov. 16-17. This catch-and-release event celebrates the2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the opening of the sailfish season. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the Sailfish Cup Gala and Awards Banquet is held at Jungle Island on South Beach (6:30 p.m.), with NASCAR President Mike Helton serving as Honorary Chairman. An evening of memories and celebration, the evening will conclude with the  awarding of the Bill France Jr. Memorial Sailfish Cup trophy, to honor the late NASCAR founder. Liveand silent auctions will benefit the NASCAR Foundation and “Speediatrics” childrens’ services at Homestead Hospital.

The Hot Rods & Reels charity fishing tournament is an unforgettable event that allows participants to spend one-on-one boat time with NASCAR’s top drivers. Spend up to two hours Saturday of Ford Championship Weekend with the likes of Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty, Ryan Newman, Ken Schrader and Martin Truex, Jr. on the infield lake at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Each participant will have a chance to win the Miccosukee $1,000,000 challenge. In addition to unprecedented driver access and phenomenal fun, the tournament also benefits two very special charitable organizations: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation and Speediatrics.