In Homestead-Miami Speedway’s continual commitment of giving back to the
community, the Speedway partnered with Special Olympics Florida- Miami-Dade
County to bring back the “Car Wash and Ride” charity event to the track on
Sunday. Participants from around South Florida were welcomed to the Speedway to
experience the extraordinary opportunity of driving their vehicle around the
same 1.5-mile oval that hosts NASCAR’s championship races each November, along
with getting their car washed in the track’s infield.
Car club racing enthusiasts, along with casual South Florida drivers were
treated to a first-hand run of the track as they dashed through the
straightaways and maneuvered the Speedway’s unique progressive banking.
Proceeds from the event benefitted Special Olympics Florida- Miami-Dade County
and Homestead-Miami Speedway’s charitable outreach program, Driving for a Cause.
Since its inception in 2013, Driving for a Cause has awarded grants to more
than a dozen organizations that focus on youth and education programs in South
Florida.
“This was a car-lover’s dream,” said Hope Jacobson, a volunteer with
Special Olympics Florida Miami-Dade County for more than 40 years.
“Homestead-Miami Speedway has been a great host and partner, and fundraisers
like this really help our 5,400 athletes. You talk about training for life and
a meaning to life, it’s very special to a lot of these people. They train
year-round and it gives many of them a true meaning to life.”
“Through the years, the Car Wash and Ride has always been a great way to
bring together the South Florida community for a special cause, and experience
our championship track first-hand,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President
Matthew Becherer. “The turnout this year was positively overwhelming, and it
was great to see so many people come out and support all the organizations in
this event.”
Car Wash and Ride participants also made donations to two other South
Florida organizations—Farm Share and Gotsneakers. Farm Share, South Florida’s
local food bank, gathered more than 307 pounds of nonperishable food items,
which will later be distributed to those in need. Gotsneakers, a local sneaker
recycling organization, collected used sneakers, which were donated by Sunday’s
participants.
