For Immediate Release:
Bill France Jr. to be Honored at Sailfish Cup Fishing Tournament
Trophy to be Renamed to Honor France at Awards Gala on November 12
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (August 28, 2008) – The prestigious Sailfish Cup fishing tournament will honor the late Bill France Jr., the former NASCAR Chairman and CEO, by naming the Sailfish Cup trophy in his honor at the annual awards gala on Nov. 12 in Miami.
The honor is in recognition of his contributions to stock-car and fishing – and his lifelong love of fishing. France passed away in June 2007 at the age of 74.
Following the lead and legacy of his father, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., France expanded the sport’s following through the expansion of television coverage and the involvement of corporate America, giving millions of fans the opportunity to enjoy stock car racing at a national level.
The Sailfish Cup trophy, manufactured by New England Sterling Company, will be officially re-named at the Sailfish Cup Gala and Awards Banquet held on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. NASCAR President Mike Helton, Honorary Chairman of the event, will host the evening of memories and celebration. A tribute and naming ceremony are proposed to accompany the evening which will conclude with the Sailfish Cup Awards Ceremony and the first awarding of the Bill France Jr. Memorial Sailfish Cup. Live and silent auctions to benefit The NASCAR Foundation and Speediatrics at Homestead Hospital are also planned.
France’s involvement with racing began at a young age, selling tickets and concessions at the old beach-road course in Daytona Beach, Fla. He assisted his father in the construction of Daytona International Speedway and replaced his father as NASCAR’s president in 1972.
In 2000, France became NASCAR’s first chairman and CEO, and was replaced as president by Helton. In 2003, France’s son Brian became the new chairman and CEO. France served as NASCAR Vice Chairman until his death.
“There are a number of NASCAR related trophies that bear the name Bill France Jr., but to have the Sailfish Cup renamed in his honor is the perfect tribute,” said Helton. “Bill loved deep sea fishing with his friends and family. We are all very proud of this recognition.”
“We are honored to commemorate Mr. France’s accomplishments for NASCAR and sport fishing” said Christopher King, chairman of the Sailfish Cup Tournament. “This is our small way of remembering the passions of a great man. We hope that working with The NASCAR Foundation will help to enrich as many lives as Bill France Jr. did during his life.”
The NASCAR Foundation embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The NASCAR Foundation uses the strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
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The Sailfish Cup tournament is produced by Executive Adventures and held annually at the Miami Beach Marina located in the heart of Miami’s South Beach area. The catch-and-release event is scheduled for November 10-12, in conjunction with the final race of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the opening of the sailfish season.
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Between 40-50 teams will compete over the course of two days for high-stakes prize money and the honor of having their names inscribed on the trophy. The Sailfish Cup debuted as the richest fishing tournament in Miami with a cash payout of more than $500,000.
For more information on the Sailfish Cup Awards Gala please contact Ashley Styers at 727-631-0072.
Executive Adventures
Executive Adventures is a full-service event management company based out of Clearwater, Fla. Founded in 2001, Executive Adventures has an extensive background in sports and entertainment marketing including work with Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Football League, NCAA, National Hockey League and American Idol. Executive Adventures works with each client to tailor an activation plan to make certain expectations are met. Highly trained staff attends to every detail of each event from the initial concept through the completion ensuring a memorable experience. Executive Adventures is widely known in the sport fishing industry for the success of the World Sailfish Championship and the Sailfish Cup held annually in Key West and Miami Beach, Fla. respectively.
The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.
Contact:
Ashley Styers, Event Relations
Executive Adventures
2120 Range Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-631-0072
[email protected]
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