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Daytona International Speedway

Andrew Booth

386-947-6714

Media Contact:

Caren Berg or Michelle Friedman

Boardroom Communications

cberg@boardroompr.com

mfriedman@boardroompr.com

954-370-8999

2^nd ANNUAL MICCOSUKEE RESORT & GAMING “HOT RODS & REELS™” CHARITY FISHING TOURNAMENT AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY SET FOR FEBRUARY 15^TH

PARTICIPATING NASCAR STARS & FANS HAVE CHANCE TO WIN “THE MICCOSUKEE MILLION” PRECEDING THE 50^TH RUNNING OF THE DAYTONA 500

Eliminator Boats donates boat to raise money for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation

DAYTONA, FL – Daytona’s 2^nd Annual Miccosukee Resort & Gaming “Hot Rods & Reels™” NASCAR Sprint drivers’ charity fishing tournament looks to repeat its outstanding success from its debut year.  The fundraiser begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 15^th, 2008 and features the presence of a custom made Eliminator Boat, created especially to commemorate the 50^th running of the Daytona 500.  The boat will be auctioned off the following month at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in West Palm Beach with all the proceeds going to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. 

Hot Rods & Reels, modeled after the hugely successful event held at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the past six years, offers the perfect combination of fun and excitement: fishing for trophy bass alongside NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and other racing celebrities with the chance to win The Miccosukee Million. 

“We’re delighted to return to Daytona for another round of our exciting Hot Rods & Reels fishing tournament to kickoff the 2008 NASCAR racing season,” said Darrell Gwynn, President of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) and event founder.  The tournament is a fundraiser for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation to Cure Paralysis and the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center Speediatrics at Halifax Hospital.  “Our first year exceeded all expectations, and we hope to have the same level of enthusiasm and participation this year – and then some! The Daytona International Speedway is such a wonderful venue, so we are very optimistic that we will have another great event.”

Daytona International Speedway, the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and celebrity participants provide an opportunity for racing fans and fishing enthusiasts to join forces while raising money for important causes.

Hot Rods & Reels will take place on the Speedway's 29-acre infield lake, Lake Lloyd, which is stocked with largemouth bass.

“It was amazing to see Hot Rods & Reels make such a splash for the very first time last year, and we are thrilled that this historic weekend at Daytona International Speedway will host this event again,” track President Robin Braig said. “Fishing on the legendary waters of Lake Lloyd continues to be a part of the heritage at Daytona International Speedway and we’re proud to say that supporting important causes is too.”

The event will also feature a wheelchair giveaway to 15-year-old Matthew Miville, who suffers from a form of Muscular Dystrophy. The young boy has been unable to obtain a new wheelchair through his insurance and applied for one through the Darrell Gwynn Foundation’s Wheelchair Donation Program.

“Once again, this event is an ideal setting to present Matthew with his new wheelchair,” said Gwynn.  “Providing for those with injuries and paralysis is the reason we host Hot Rods & Reels, so it gives everyone a real sense of accomplishment when they see what can be achieved.”

Space is limited, so people interested in participating should visit www.hotrodsandreels.com early to register for the event. 

Hot Rods & Reels attracts some of the biggest names in NASCAR, including drivers, owners and TV personalities. Some of the NASCAR drivers and celebrities currently scheduled (subject to change) for the 2008 Hot Rods & Reels in Daytona include:

Tony Stewart

Kyle Petty

Bobby Labonte

Carl Edwards

Kenny Schrader

Ryan Newman

Kyle Busch

Scott Riggs

Bobby Allison

Donnie Allison

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The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preventing paralysis when possible, providing support for individual’s living with paralysis and ultimately finding a cure for paralysis.  To expedite specific cures, the Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research.

The Betty Jane France Pediatric Center “Speediatrics®” designed with a motor sports theme, is a 31 Bed Pediatric Unit and a 5 Bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Halifax Medical Center.  In surroundings designed by Betty Jane France, with modern equipment and experienced staff, children literally race to the finish line of recovery in a fun-filled facility often visited by top NASCAR and sports car drivers.

The 2nd Annual Miccosukee Resort & Gaming “Hot Rods & Reels™” NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers & Teams Charity Fishing Tournament in Daytona takes place Friday, February 15^th, 2008 on Lake Lloyd at the Daytona International Speedway.

Joining Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in sponsoring this event are Bass Pro Shops, Sprint, Bass Online and Sport Tailor.  For more information on registration or sponsorship, visit www.hotrodsandreels.com or call 954-792-7223 ext. 105.