“Minions” take Miami at Homestead Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend

Minion Mayhem is coming to Miami! The lovable stars of the Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment summer blockbuster hit, Minions, will be at the Ford Championship Weekend from November 20-22, it was announced today by Homestead-Miami Speedway. The three Minions – Kevin, Stuart and Bob — will be a fixture throughout Homestead-Miami Speedway, making appearances with fans and participating in the Ford EcoBoost 400 pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, November 22. Minions will be released November 24 on Digital HD and Blu-ray/DVD on December 8.

NBC News’ Anchor and “Today” Show co-host Hoda Kotb will serve as Grand Marshal at the Ford EcoBoost 400. Ms. Kotb, the popular co-host of NBC’s “Today” fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford, is also a “Dateline NBC” correspondent and New York Times Bestselling author and has been at NBC since 1998. She will give the command for drivers to start their engines prior to the Sprint Cup Series championship race on Sunday, November 22.

“We are extremely excited to have the Minions and Hoda Kotb join us for Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November,” Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer said. “The Minions are characters beloved by both adults and kids and we think our fans are going to enjoy seeing them around the venue throughout our NASCAR weekend. Hoda is a household name in national news, and we are thrilled to have her join us for what is going to be an electrifying Ford EcoBoost 400.”

In addition, the Minions will introduce the “Minionwagon”, a one-of-a-kind Ford Transit Connect Wagon that will be making appearances on a road trip at select locations, including as the Grand Marshal car for Ford Championship Weekend and a stop at Universal Orlando® Resort on their way to the Today Show in New York City. The Minions will also be the entitlement sponsor of the “Minions Kids Zone” in the Homestead-Miami Speedway display area, making an appearance on November 22.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the Minions to the Ford Championship Weekend for the culmination of the NASCAR season,” said John Morici, Managing Director, US & Canada, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. “NASCAR is a hugely popular and important family entertainment brand. This event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway is a great showcase for Minions, one of the most highly anticipated home entertainment releases of the year.”

The breakout stars the world fell in love with in the unprecedented worldwide blockbusters Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 headline their own movie for the first time in Minions. After their latest explosive mistake leaves them without an evil leader, the Minions fall into a deep depression. With the tribe on the brink of collapse, three unlikely heroes – Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—embark on a journey to find a new big boss. When their quest leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), our three heroes must face their biggest challenge yet: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation. Minions also features the voice talents of Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton and Allison Janney.

The 2015 Ford Championship Weekend will be held on November 20-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and will consist of the Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series finales. Tickets are available for the Ford EcoBoost 200 on Friday, November 20, and Ford EcoBoost 300 on Saturday, November 21, and can be purchased by calling (305) 230-5255 or visiting www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com. Tickets for the Ford EcoBoost 400 are officially sold out.

Homestead Miami Speedway PR