NASCAR Champion Martin Truex, Jr. edged out Clint Bowyer for the biggest fish by the slimmest of margins, 4.54 pounds to 4.53 pounds, and took place first place honors as well at this year’s RMT, Montana Brand and Rader Farms Hot Rods & Reels Charity Fishing Tournament presented by Huk Performance Fishing to benefit The Darrell Gwynn Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. A dozen NASCAR drivers and Legends again convened on Lake Lloyd at Daytona International Speedway for the charity fishing event that kicks off the racing season.
Joining Truex and Boyer for the event were Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, David Blaney, Gus Dean, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Michael McDowell, Ryan Newman, Max Papis, and David Ragan. Truex’s three fish total of 10.42 pounds was good enough for the win with Gus Dean coming in 2nd with 8.55 pounds and David Ragan was third with a total of 5.15 pounds.
Because of Martin Truex, Jr.’s largest fish, he was eligible to try and win the Huk Performance Fishing Million Dollar Challenge. There were 250 specially marked envelopes, with one holding a certificate for a million dollars. Truex pledged to give the million dollars to the Darrell Gwynn Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund of he won. Unfortunately he did not open the lucky envelope, but Darrell was moved by the gesture by his longtime friend and supporter.
“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 standing up for those who can’t,” said Darrell Gwynn.
The RMT, Montana Brand and Rader Farms Hot Rods & Reels Charity Fishing Tournament presented by Huk Performance Fishing annually benefits The Darrell Gwynn Quality of Life Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. This year Darrell donated a $30,000 custom power wheelchair to a spinal cord injured man, Hendrik Franco. Franco lives in Miami and travels daily to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis to volunteer his time to help others who are paralyzed and participating in research studies. The wheelchair will allow him to more safely get to and from his volunteer job, as well as be more active.
Event sponsors include Title Sponsors Rader Farms, Montana Brand and Rocky Mountain Twist, Presenting Sponsor Huk Performance Fishing, Daytona International Speedway, Bass Pro Shops, Bass Online, NASCAR, DMR and Halifax Health.
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.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is considered the premier investigative research program conducting cutting edge discovery, translational, and clinical investigations targeting spinal cord and brain injuries. The Miami Projects international team includes more than 300 scientists, researchers, clinicians, and support staff who take innovative approaches to the challenges of spinal cord and brain injuries.
Darrell Gwynn PR
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