Daytona vs. Michigan in holiday food drive competition

BROOKLYN, Mich. and DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In the spirit of competition off the racetrack, Michigan International Speedway and Daytona International Speedway are having a friendly contest to see which track can collect the most food items for people who need it the most this holiday season.

Although it is a competition, both tracks aren’t looking at it as a win-lose situation. All the food donated at MIS and DIS will go to families in need. MIS’ donations will benefit the CCIS Food Pantry in Brooklyn, while Daytona’s will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

The overall weight of all donations collected for each track will determine the winner. The winner of the competition will receive lunch courtesy of the other track.

MIS has already collected some 2,100 items, thanks to a sizable donation from Brooklyn Elementary School. The students collected food throughout the Thanksgiving week.

“This is not only a fun contest, but one that really can make a difference in the lives of the givers and the receivers this holiday,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “We hope our friendly rivalry with Daytona will inspire others to participate and donate something.”

“We hope the heightened excitement around our contest with MIS will benefit area families who rely on Second Harvest during the holiday season,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “We encourage all our employees and local fans to stop by and help make this a wonderful holiday for our community.”

All MIS fans can get involved with this competition. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted at the speedway’s Administration Building from Monday, Nov. 29, to Friday, Dec. 3.

Donations of a non-perishable food item or unwrapped toy may also be made at the speedway’s Track Drive for Charity, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. With every donation, fans will receive a lap around the two-mile oval at a controlled speed. Longtime MIS sponsor GFS Marketplace will provide cider and donuts for all fans who attend the track drive.

All DIS fans that bring at least three (3) cans of food to the DIS ticket office counter on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4 will receive a free admission for the new Daytona International Speedway All-Access Tour.

Daytona International Speedway will also host the WESH-TV “Share Your Christmas” food drive, which also benefits the Salvation Army, on Monday Dec. 6.  Later that day, Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson’s “Caravan that Cares” will begin its route from the main Daytona International Speedway parking lot on International Speedway Boulevard. Fans are encouraged to drop off their non-perishable donations at the Daytona ticket office lobby through Monday, Dec. 6.