South Florida resident and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, has turned heads in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing since his arrival in 2006. But Montoya and wife Connie have turned their attention to a race of a different kind. South Florida media members were treated to a Tuesday with Juan Pablo, joining one of NASCAR’s star drivers for breakfast and media availability at one of Miami’s favorite hotel properties.
Joined live by the Montoyas at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, Homestead-Miami Speedway Track President Matthew Becherer announced the renewal of an exclusive opportunity for fans of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet. Homestead-Miami Speedway, for the third consecutive year, is partnering with Montoya to create “Race Day with Juan”—an exclusive meet-and-greet opportunity prior to the Nov. 20 Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The “Race Day with Juan” package benefits the Formula Smiles Foundation and includes:
► Ticket to Sprint Cup Championship-finale Ford 400 (Turn 1, rows 11-21)
► Private pre-race meet-and-greet with Montoya in the infield Driver’s Meeting Room
► Pre-Race Pit Pass access to front-stretch for photos, autographs, Q&A sessions
► No. 42 Target commemorative lanyard and credential holder
► $42 donation to the Formula Smiles Foundation headed by Montoya and wife Connie
“We are really excited about partnering with Juan Pablo for a third consecutive year,” said track president Matthew Becherer. “It’s great to see what Juan Pablo and Connie are doing away from the track with Formula Smiles to help at-risk youth. He is an international motorsports superstar who brings a fantastic style of no-holds-barred racing made all the more special by what he and Connie do off the track with Formula Smiles.”
The Montoyas are committed to fighting Colombia’s indigence through sports and education. Their main weapon is the Formula Smiles Foundation which aims to improve, through sports, the quality of life of Colombian children in vulnerable situations. And with a very special announcement made by Becherer, race fans who attend NASCAR’s series-crowning Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 20 will aid in the very same fight.
“I think it’s great that we’ve partnered up with my home town track, Homestead-Miami Speedway, for a third year,” said Montoya. “We’ve raised a lot of money for Formula Smiles through this ticket package and to see it grow every year is something Connie and I are very proud of.”
“Colombia has suffered a great deal of conflict in the last 50 years so we continue to try and get the community together,” said Connie Montoya. “Formula Smiles provides children with a place to participate in multiple sports, enjoy after-school activities and learn core values. Simply put, Formula Smiles creates smiles and our relationship with Homestead-Miami Speedway allows us to do just that. We’re very happy to be announcing this ticket package for a third straight year.”
As the sporting world turns its eyes on Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Nov. 18-20 Ford Championship Weekend—NASCAR’s series-crowning races in the Chase For The Sprint Cup, the Nationwide, and Camping World Truck Series—some of NASCAR’s most prominent figures will focus on Colombia.
Among Formula Smiles’ fundraising efforts is the Nov. 17 “BeLive” benefit at the Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach on the eve of NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend at Montoya’s “home track” of Homestead-Miami Speedway. “BeLive” is attended each year by more than 500 international guests; including NASCAR celebrities, and luminaries in the world of music and fashion. Activities for the gala include dinner, a silent auction, and a fashion show.
To purchase “Race Day with Juan” ($142)—or to upgrade to this package if tickets already have been purchased—please visit HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com/Montoya or call (866) 409-RACE.