The Ryan Newman Foundation

2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman joined more than 30 other NASCAR drivers, celebrities and fans in the Darrell Gwynn Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament on Speedway's 29-acre infield lake. The annual event raised more than $100,000 for the Davie, FL based Darrell Gwynn Foundation that funds paralysis research, spinal cord injury education and awareness, and customized wheelchairs for children and young adults.

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards won the individual fishing tournament with a 4.2 pound bass. Edwards' group also won the team competition by catching a total of 8.5 pounds of fish. Among the other participants were Tony Stewart, Martin Truex, Ryan Newman, Darrell Waltrip and Ken Schrader.

Gwynn, former drag racing champion paralyzed in a racing accident, donated a portion of the tournament's proceeds to the Betty Jane France Pediatric Center "Speediatrics" unit at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. The special unit, which is brightly decked out in a racing theme, helps children and families feel more comfortable amid beeping medical equipment and the constant parade of doctors and nurses.

About Darrell Gwynn Foundation:
The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is a Davie, Fla.-based nonprofit agency formed in 2002 to provide wheelchairs to children and young adults and advocate for people with spinal cord injuries. The Foundation was founded by former NHRA star Darrell Gwynn to prevent, provide and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illness. For more information on the Foundation and the programs it supports, visit www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org or call 954-792-7223.

Photo Below:
Darrell Gwynn, left, sits next to NASCAR driver Ryan Newman at the Hot Rods & Reels fishing tournament during the Daytona 500 Weekend at Daytona International Speedway.  (Photos courtesy of Image Masters Photography)