Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer to Receive Miami-Dade “Shining Star” Award

Matthew Becherer, President of Homestead-Miami Speedway, has been named as one of Miami-Dade’s “Shining Stars”, and will be honored at Saturday night’s Miami-Dade Shining Stars Gala to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Shining Star Award recognizes Miami-Dade’s most prominent and philanthropic leaders.

“What an honor for Homestead-Miami Speedway to be recognized as one of Miami-Dade’s Shining Stars,” Becherer said. “We understand the value and importance of being involved in our local community and each year we donate more than $300,000 through fundraising efforts to non-profit entities such as scout troops, civic groups and philanthropic organizations within our local community.  The Homestead-Miami Speedway team works hard to do our part to make our local community a better place to live.”

The second annual Miami-Dade Shining Stars Gala will include dinner, dancing, an awards presentation, and live and silent auctions, all to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Becherer will accept the honor on behalf of Homestead-Miami Speedway Saturday night, Oct. 15, (8 p.m.) at the JW Marriott in Miami. The 2011 Miami-Dade Shining Stars honorees have been selected based on their excellence in business, contributions to the community, and demonstrated leadership.

“We are so grateful for our new partnership with the Homestead-Miami Speedway,” said Christina Landshut, executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s South Florida Office. “To be able to work with such a wonderfully generous organization is a pleasure. And we are particularly thrilled to have Matthew Becherer as one of our Miami-Dade Shining Stars. He and the Speedway certainly deserve the recognition for all they do in our community.”

Becherer joined Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2009 from Richmond International Raceway, where as Vice President of Marketing he oversaw all aspects of advertising, promotions, public relations and ticketing related to NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC Sprint and Silver Crown races. The annual economic impact of Homestead-Miami Speedway is an estimated $249 million each year.  The Speedway’s operations create nearly 3,000 jobs and $115 million in labor income annually while generating $47 million in tax revenue to state and local governments yearly. The impact of NASCAR’s Ford Championship Weekend each November is currently the largest annual economic impact of a sporting event in South Florida.

HMS PR