The world of motorsports and Homestead-Miami Speedway celebrated NASCAR Day’s 8th Anniversary last Friday. Since its inception NASCAR Day has raised nearly $8 million for charitable initiatives.
Homestead-Miami Speedway, in conjunction with the YMCA of Greater Miami and its Homestead YMCA Family Center, hosted ‘Car Wash for Kids’ in an effort to better the lives of children in South Florida. Hundreds of South Floridians showed an outpouring of generosity by bringing their dirty cars to Homestead-Miami Speedway Friday. Money raised from the charity car wash benefitted Homestead YMCA Family Center and The NASCAR Foundation.
“As a community asset that puts hundreds of thousands of dollars directly into the hands of non-profit groups during our major race weekends each and every year, our commitment to our community is evident” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “To work closely with the Homestead YMCA, raise some money with them and allow members of our community to drive their cars on the track was a natural extension of that commitment. I am proud that together we were one of the leading events in this national fundraising effort for NASCAR Day.”
Those visiting Homestead-Miami Speedway took a quick lap on the very same track where NASCAR will crown Champions during Ford Championship Weekend Nov. 18-20 then pulled into the infield to have their cars washed by YMCA of Greater Miami volunteers and Speedway staff. For a $10 donation, attendees received a car wash, a paced lap on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval, and a commemorative NASCAR Unites wrist band.
The inaugural NASCAR Day Car Wash for Kids, an initiative of NASCAR Unites, brought together the motorsports community and collectively washed more than 1,600 cars and raised nearly $30,000 for children’s causes on NASCAR Day. Car washes at 32 locations stretching from Concord, N.C. to Fontana, Calif. generated volunteerism and raised funds for The NASCAR Foundation and local children’s charities, securing more than 2,000 volunteer hours in a single day.
Highlights from the day include Pocono Raceway washing the largest number of vehicles despite rainy weather; Auto Club Speedway raising the most funds with its second-annual event; and Homestead-Miami Speedway coming in a close second with Track President Matthew Becherer leading cars around the track.
Homestead-Miami Speedway staffers and volunteers from the YMCA of Greater Miami teamed up to wash almost 300 cars and raised nearly $7,000 for the Homestead YMCA Family Center and the NASCAR Foundation.
“NASCAR Day was wonderful fun and such a creative, family event that supports the great work of the NASCAR Foundation and the Y” says Abigail Harlan, executive director for the Homestead YMCA Family Center. “Attendees even joined in and helped wash some cars with us – just because it’s such a great cause.”
Fans who missed out on NASCAR Day Car Wash for Kids still can support the mission of NASCAR Unites by donating $5.00 to get a NASCAR Unites wristband or $10.00 to get a NASCAR Day Pin at NASCAR.COM/foundation. NASCAR Unites wristbands encourage volunteerism in local communities and work towards the goal of one million volunteer hours and $1 million for children’s charities.