February 18, 2022 – NASCAR Driver Brad Keslowski led the his team first place honors with a three-fish total of 5.4 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 charity-fishing event that kicks off the racing season.
Joining Keselowski for the event were Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Christopher Bell, Greg Biffle, Ryan Blaney, Noah Gragson, Michael McDowell, Max Papis, David Ragan, and Martin Truex, Jr. The Keselowski team’s three fish total edged out Gragson’s team that came in 2nd with 5.04 pounds, and Donnie Allison’s team came in third with a total of 4.85 pounds.
The largest fish, weighing 2.2, pounds made Brad Keselowski and his team eligible to try to win the Global Electronic Technology Million Dollar Challenge. There were 300 specially marked envelopes, with one holding a certificate for a million dollars. Unfortunately, they did not open the lucky envelope, but it was an exciting moment and all had a great time for a great.
“Our friends, the drivers, Daytona International Speedway and sponsors and anglers come out each year to help us raise funds so we can change people’s lives who are living with paralysis. We can’t thank them enough for continuing to stand up for those who can’t,” 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 donated a $20,000 custom wheelchair to a 5-year-old spinal cord injured boy from Deltona, Damiano Respo. The wheelchair will allow him to more safely get to and from his rehabilitation, as well as be more active.
Event sponsors include Daytona International Speedway, Bass Pro Shops, Bass Online, Stanley / Black & Decker, Global Electronic Technology, NASCAR, Dobbs Equipment, Kaulig Giving, Richard Childress Racing, Halifax Health, Yeti, HUK, and DMR.
The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund: The Buoniconti Fund is the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center located at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The Darrell Gwynn Chapter works to “Stand Up For Those Who Can’t” by raising awareness and funds for critical spinal cord injury research programs through, not only our quality of life initiatives, but by working as a team to ultimately find a cure for paralysis.
For more tournament information visit www.thebuonicontifund.com/hotrodsandreels Follow us on Social Media at Facebook @DarrellGwynnChapter; Twitter and Instagram @BuonicontiFund and Hashtags: #DarrellGwynnChapter, #BuonicontiFund, #HotRodsandReels, #PutTheBrakesOnParalysis, #CureParalysis