Homestead-Miami Speedway joins Gordon, AARP Foundation in Drive to End Hunger

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Homestead-Miami Speedway announced recently it is joining AARP and AARP Foundation’s Drive to End Hunger in the fight to end hunger for older Americans. Fans who purchase a ticket package for the Nov. 18-20 race weekend will be helping in the fight, as well. The AARP Foundation will receive a $24 donation from each purchased ticket package that includes a meet-and-greet with Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet,

Additionally, the track will donate extra food items from the race weekend to local South Florida foodbanks. After race weekend, AARP Foundation, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Americrown—the track’s exclusive caterer and concessionaire—will organize a donation of extra food items from the track to local foodbanks.  The track will safely store breads, produce and prepared foods from race weekend for pickup by the food bank on Monday, Nov. 21.

“We’re really thrilled that Homestead-Miami Speedway has joined us in this important fight,” Gordon said. “Six million seniors struggle with hunger in this country - many of them right here in South Florida. At every race fans ask how to help this great cause.  They know we can end hunger if we all work together.”

The Drive to End Hunger effort includes collaborating with national partners that work to enhance and supplement distribution networks, like food banks and food pantries; individual and corporate giving campaigns; and local outreach to enroll seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. More than six million older adults face the threat of hunger. More than 20 percent of Floridians have reported not having enough money to buy food in the last year, while 5.14 percent of Florida seniors face the threat of hunger.

The $124 package salutes Gordon, NASCAR’s winningest active driver and four-time Sprint Cup Series Champion. For each ticket sold the Homestead-Miami Speedway Foundation will donate $24 to the Drive to End Hunger crusade. The package is available by calling (866) 409-RACE or visiting HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com/JeffGordon and includes:

-Meet & Greet with Jeff Gordon on Sunday, Nov 20th before the NASCAR Sprint Cup event.

-Ticket to Sprint Cup Championship-finale Ford 400 (Turn 1, rows 11-21)

-Pre-Race Pit Pass access to front-stretch

-$24 Donation to AARP’s Drive to End Hunger

“Jeff Gordon is a true NASCAR legend and has long been one of the most philanthropic athletes in all of sports through the Jeff Gordon Foundation,” said track president Matt Becherer. “It is an honor to team up with Jeff and the AARP to help put the brakes on senior hunger in America.”

Gordon further cemented his legacy among NASCAR greats by winning at Pocono Raceway in June. His second win this season and 84th of his illustrious career likely secured his position in the 2011 Chase For The Sprint Cup which will culminate at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18-20. Only five NASCAR competitors have won 84 or more Sprint Cup Series races. Gordon’s feat ties him with two of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame inductees; Miami-native Bobby Allison and three-time champion Darrell Waltrip for third all-time in wins. Only “The King” Richard Petty (200) and David “The Silver Fox” Pearson (105) have more.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.drivetoendhunger.org.