Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to Serve As Grand Marshals for Ford 400; Both to Attend BBQ for Military and Families In Support of Joining Forces

MIAMI, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will visit Homestead-Miami Speedway as it hosts the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale, the Ford 400, and join NASCAR in honoring America's troops and military families. NASCAR, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will recognize service members and military families from the local community at a special BBQ lunch prior to the race. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will also invite a military family to join them as they serve as Grand Marshals for the championship race to lead the pre-race ceremony and offer the most famous words in racing: "Gentlemen, start your engines." 

"We are honored that First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will be joining us as we crown the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer.  "Most importantly, we are pleased that they are both coming to Homestead-Miami Speedway to personally thank the men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure our freedom and allow us to enjoy events like Ford Championship Weekend."

The crowd will consist of 5,000 active duty and retired military personnel and families and thousands of NASCAR fans. As part of the season-ending NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship race, NASCAR will rally its millions of fans at the speedway and online to serve military families through the holiday season by asking them to visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/Unites and  JoiningForces.gov to find service opportunities and ideas to give back to those who serve our country.

At the launch of Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden's Joining Forces initiative, Walmart and NASCAR developed a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign designed to recognize military families for the sacrifices they make when our troops are called to action and to inspire customers and fans to recognize and support the needs of military families in their own communities. The PSAs feature NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Parker Kligerman, are broadcast in 500+ Walmart stores and will air at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The PSA can be found here. 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Ford 400 will be nationally broadcast live by ESPN and the Motor Racing Network (MRN) starting at 3:00 p.m. ET. 

About Homestead-Miami Speedway:

The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.  The 640-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year and hosts NASCAR's Championship Races during Ford Championship Weekend (November 18-20, 2011).  The Sprint Cup Championship Ford 400 is broadcast live on TV and radio to 175 countries and into 24 languages.  Homestead-Miami Speedway, featuring a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21-mile road course, generates more than $250 million annually for the region.  Tickets start at just $55 for the Ford 400 (Sunday, November 20) – NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series Championship.  For more information, please visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or call 866.409.RACE.

New for 2011: The Ford 400 winner will take home a 25-foot Tournament model fishing boat, built by Homestead-based Contender Boats.

SOURCE Homestead-Miami Speedway