Monday, January 19, 2009

Nascar's Big Names Raise Big Bucks For Charity


The 2009 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Phoenix Arizona attracted some of the biggest names in Nascar to help raise awareness and collect some serious cash for several charitable organizations. With the Daytona 500 still a few weeks off Hedrick MotorSports owner Rick Hendrick and 7 time Nascar Cup Champion Richard Petty ventured out west to help some less fortunate people.

On Saturday Mr. Hendrick offered up for sale a slightly used Chevy Monte Carlo that just happened to be decked out in DuPont rainbow colors. This particular #24 Nascar stock car was a two time winner, at Chicagoland in July '06 and at Lowes Motor Speedway in October '07, along with four top fives and five top tens to it's credit. All documentation including race winning videos and photos went with the car.

All proceeds from the sale went to the Hendrick Marrow Program, started by Rick after he survived leukemia in 1996, which helps secure private resources for the National Marrow Donor Program. The enormous generosity of the automobile community shone bright as this Rainbow Warrior was gaveled out at $500,000.00.

That was only the second highest donation received as the King himself drove onto the stage in a 1970 Plymouth Superbird custom tribute recreation. The car was the result of the collaborative efforts of YearOne, Gillette Evernham Motorsports, Muscle Magazine, and former WWE superstar and avid car nut, Bill Goldberg. This was a street legal version of a Nascar stock car complete with an 800hp GEM Dodge spec. engine.

This one of a kind tribute to Richard Petty was donated by Bill Goldberg and the proceeds are to benefit the Darrell Gwyenn Foundation which helps spinal cord injury patients with services and equipment. Their Wheelchair Donation Program provides powered wheelchairs to children and young adults in need across the country. Once again the wealthy in attendance opened their wallets and pushed the winning bid to an astronomical $551,100.00

A 2007 Tony Stewart #20 Chevy Monte Carlo also went up for bid to benefit the Darrell Gwyenn Foundation on Sunday. Tony's three time winning ride garnered $181,500.00

Rick Hendrick wasn't through for the evening turning the tables and taking on the role of bidder on the very first 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. General Motors made the donation to benefit The American Heart Association. The bidding was at a fever pitch for the rights to create the first production model of the next generation Camaro, but Rick would not be out bid looking to give back what others have donated for his foundation. His winning bid for this soon to be collectors item was $350,000.00

Our buddy Rusty Wallace even got in the spirit pitching a 2009 60th. Anniversary Nascar Motorcycle built by Destination Daytona to the multitude if collectors and museum owners in the crowd. The one of 60 custom built motorcycles was auctioned off for $50,000 and all monies donated to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

A total of fourteen vehicles were auctioned off to benefit a variety of charities. For a complete list of vehicles check out Barrett-Jackson.

15 comments:

  1. AAWWWWWW KG good job. Makes me proud of Nascar and it's owners/drivers for support of worthy charities. Way to go you redneck racers/owners.

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  2. Hey KG I guess you'd better go tell Bonkowski how to create links...

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  4. Our 'buddy', Rusty? blagghhh. I would have bid on it just to get him to shut up!

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  5. okay..seriously...that is just not funny...

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  6. hahahahaha hugs gets the first double post of KG's blog. Tooooooo funny. Way to go....

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  7. I don't know if you saw Rusty trying to describe the bike Hugs but was rather comical. He must of had a few to many 5Hour shots of go-go juice cause he was completely tongue tied. He couldn't even say Victory Junction Gang Camp correctly. And he are a big time TV talking guy. HeHe

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  8. Maybe he was consciously trying not to say cats and it threw him off of his game? (wait, does he even have game?)

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  9. Nice job KG Hope other people read this and realize just what a great bunch of guys these racecar drivers and owners are. Maybe some of the other"athletes" should follow suit and do some good in the world instead of making sordid headlines. I am really proud to be a race fan!!!

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  10. Thats awesome KG, thanks for the heads up. And what a sweet bike

    farmerj

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  12. That's pretty bad missy when you have to sensor yourself.

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  13. Good awareness article kg. Some good souls donating time and money to good causes.

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