NASCAR.com, eBay set to fish for charities

One of the most unique events in a series of racing-themed on line charity auctions hosted by NASCAR.com and Internet auction giant eBay is set to run Oct. 2-10.

	Dale Earnhardt Jr. adds his signature to the Nitro bass boat up for auction in October. Credit: Contributed photo

Backdrop for this compelling auction is the Inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and teams, Outdoor World, "Hot Rods & Reels" Fishing Tournament scheduled for Nov. 15 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Presented by RJ Reynolds, the charity event benefits the Betty Jane France Pediatrics Center, Speediatrics (a newly renovated pediatrics unit at Homestead Hospital with a racing themed-design); the Darrell Gwynn Foundation (benefiting spinal cord research), and the Guy Harvey Research Institute.

Highlight of the auction is a $36,000 CDC 911 Nitro Boat donated by Bass Pro Shops. The one-of-a-kind craft will be signed by 43 NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and features artwork by world-renowned marine life artist Guy Harvey.

Also up for bid will be a chance to fish with selected NASCAR drivers. Ten spots (five boats) in this unique tournament are open to the public and will be on the auction block.

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An assortment of collectible items will also be up for bid, including die-cast replicas of NASCAR-themed fishing boats.

Hot Rods & Reels will be held at the Homestead-Miami Speedway infield lake and will feature many of NASCAR's biggest names. Superstars Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace are already scheduled to take part in the program, with others to be added later.

"We encourage NASCAR and bass fishing fans everywhere to participate in this unique auction on NASCAR.com and eBay which benefits outstanding charities," said Curtis Gray, president of Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Fans have the opportunity to bid on the once-in-a-lifetime experience of fishing for peacock and large mouth bass with a NASCAR Winston Cup driver on our speedway's lake."

Moreover, a Nitro bass fishing boat signed by all 43 NASCAR Winston Cup drivers and the only boat of its kind, is available in the auction as well. Two incredible opportunities for NASCAR and bass fishing fans alike.

	Tony Stewart shows off his catch. Credit: Contributed photo

"We are pleased to be able to benefit the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center, Speediatrics at Homestead Hospital through this auction," Gray said. "Speediatrics not only fills the need for more pediatric care in the south Miami-Dade area, but also helps make the stay of every child at the hospital more enjoyable through its racing-themed design.

"Helping the community is a huge priority for the Speedway and Speediatrics represents one of the most worthwhile projects Homestead-Miami Speedway has ever been a part of."

Alan T. Brown Associates -- a public relations firm based in Hollywood,Fla. -- is developing the tournament and supervising sponsorship opportunities, driver attendance, collateral material creation, media relations and collectible items.

"This is a unique opportunity to present a project that will benefit three very deserving south Florida charities," Brown said. "To have NASCAR.com and eBay involved truly takes this program to the next level and provides a major steppingstone to what the tournament and the auction can grow to become in the future."

Just last month, a similar on line auction raised more than $15,000 for Speedway Children's Charities. It's all part of a collaborative effort between NASCAR, NASCAR.com, eBay and an assortment of NASCAR tracks and teams to raise money for a variety of charitable organizations affiliated with the NASCAR community.

The program will gain momentum throughout the remainder of this season, then become a regular monthly event in 2003.