Homestead-Miami Speedway announced today that the 2nd annual Homestead-Miami Speedway Celebrity Golf Classic will be played Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Doral Golf Resort & Spa. Presented by Sprint Nextel, the tournament will be held on Doral's world-renowned "Blue Monster" course as one of the headline events taking place in conjunction with the star-studded Ford Championship Weekend.

"Golfing on the 'Blue Monster' is the perfect complement to Ford Championship Weekend," said Curtis Gray, President of Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Our celebrities and amateur participants will enjoy themselves on a PGA-championship course, help raise a lot of money for some phenomenal charities, and then we'll head down the road to the track where NASCAR crowns its champions: Homestead-Miami Speedway."

Celebrities scheduled to play this year include Miami-resident Juan Pablo Montoya, NASCAR's points-leading rookie and winner of the 2000 Indy 500; and NASCAR Driver of the Decade (1980s) Darrell Waltrip, three-time Cup champion and current NASCAR TV analyst. More celebrity golfers will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Celebrity participants in last year's inaugural event included two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip; former NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Rusty Wallace (Top 10 all-time in NASCAR career victories and earnings); NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray (2007 Pepsi 400 winner); NFL Hall of Famer/1972 Dolphin Larry Little; Miami Hurricane/NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks; NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor; two-time World Series-champion Florida Marlin Jeff Conine and Jenna Edwards, Miss Florida USA 2007.

"NASCAR drivers are surprisingly good golfers," said tournament director Nick Nicolosi, producer of the Super Bowl NFL Golf Classic for 23 years. "And the 'Blue Monster' is probably one of the five most famous courses in the United States—a regular PGA Tour stop and a 2007 World Golf Championship venue."

All proceeds from the Celebrity Golf Classic will benefit three partners of the NASCAR Foundation Family of Charities: WAM (Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports), the Betty Jane France Speediatrics center at Homestead Hospital and Formula Smiles. The tournament is one of many community programs Homestead-Miami Speedway will host during the week preceding Ford Championship Weekend. Additional festivities include Ford Racefest—featuring live concerts, interactive exhibits, NASCAR drivers and the NEXTEL Cup trophy on display—the Hot Rods & Reels fishing tournament and Ford's "Bailando Por La Copa" salsa-dance finals.

"At the end of Ford Championship Weekend, Sprint Nextel will crown the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion," said Dean Kessel, director of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series marketing for title-sponsor Sprint Nextel. "It is a momentous weekend for the entire NASCAR community, and this golf tournament kicks off the festivities in a fun and competitive manner on a world-class course, all while supporting three important philanthropic efforts."

The Homestead-Miami Speedway Celebrity Golf Classic is open to amateur golfers for a $750 entry fee. Participants receive a gift bag and souvenir plaque featuring team photograph with celebrity captain. Lunch is served at Doral's Champions Pavilion prior to golf, and an awards party/memorabilia auction will follow (prizes to Top 3 teams).

For more information or to obtain invitations for the Homestead-Miami Speedway Celebrity Golf Classic, please contact Tournament Director Nick Nicolosi at (201) 489-0049 or at nnicolosi@HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com. For information and tickets on all Homestead-Miami Speedway events—including Ford Championship Weekend, group sales and private track rental visit www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com or call (866) 409-RACE.

SOURCE: HMS Communications