HOT RODS & REELS CHARITY FISHING TOURNAMENT
HOT RODS & REELS Charity Fishing Tournament is a truly one of a kind event which pairs NASCAR Drivers with philanthropic supporters, executives and racing fans for an exciting morning of fishing during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. This unique tournament benefits The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and takes place on the infield lake at the track in Florida.
NASCAR Drivers team with NHRA and Motorsports Hall of Fame drag racer Darrell Gwynn to raise awareness of spinal cord injury research and people living with paralysis. The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the event host and benefiting charity, is a fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
ADAM STEVENS AND TEAM STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER WINS 19th ANNUAL HOT RODS & REELS FISHING TOURNAMENT AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Hall of Fame Drag Racer Darrell Gwynn Gathered NASCAR Legends for Charity Fishing Tournament and Donated a $25,000 Wheelchair to a Spinal Cord Injured Woman
February 13, 2026 (DAYTONA) – NASCAR Crew Chief Adam Stevens led his team to first place honors with a three-fish total of 8.65 pounds at this year’s Hot Rods & Reels Charity Fishing Tournament to benefit The Darrell Gwynn Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. NASCAR drivers and Legends convened this morning on Lake Lloyd at Daytona International Speedway for the annual charity fishing event that kicks off the racing season.
Joining Adam for the event were and Donnie Allison, Chase Briscoe, Kurt Busch, Richard Childress, Cole Custer, David Gilliland, Noah Gragson, Defending Champions Kyle and Owen Larson, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, Max Papis, Ryan Preece, Zane Smith, Daniel Suarez and Professional Bass Fisherman Jacob Wheeler.
The largest fish, weighing 5.55 pounds was caught by the Stanley Black and Decker and made their team eligible to try to win the DMR Million Dollar Challenge. There were specially marked envelopes that allowed the winner a chance to win a million dollars. Unfortunately, they did not open the lucky envelopes, but it was an exciting moment for all in attendance.
“Our partners at NASCAR and Daytona welcome us every year. Our loyal supporters believe in our mission and help make it possible. We look forward to starting the NASCAR season with an event that will provide a state-of-the-art wheelchair to a woman from Orlando who was paralyzed,” said Darrell Gwynn.
Hot Rods & Reels Charity Fishing Tournament annually benefits The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. This year Darrell again donated a $25,000 custom wheelchair to a spinal cord injured woman from Orlando. The wheelchair will allow her to continue her rehabilitation and allow her to be more active.
Event sponsors include: Daytona International Speedway, Bass Pro Shops, Bass Online, Scherr Family Fund who donated the custom wheelchair, DMR, Environmental Construction, NASCAR, NASCAR Foundation, Stanley Black and Decker, and the University of Northwestern Ohio.