Wings & Wheels a Fundraising Triumph for Racing Against Cancer
Westbrook, CT — Weeks later it is still the talk of the close-knit racing community, but the effects of the Racing Against Cancer TM “Wings and Wheels” presented by Foxwoods and KOOL 101 event will be much more far-reaching. On Saturday, August 16, 2008, as part of a fundraising effort, the New Waterford Speedbowl hosted four of the area’s fastest and most exciting racing divisions-the International Supermodified Association (ISMA), the True Value Modified Racing Series (TVMRS), the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA), and their own NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds.
By itself that race card was thrilling. Add to it the implications of the fundraiser and the night was nothing short of magical. With $2 from the sale of every adult grandstand admission ticket going to the Racing Against Cancer TM Program the night was a successful fundraiser as a packed house came to enjoy a night of racing excellence.
Money raised at the event will go to Racing Against Cancer TM and other cancer related charities that it supports including the American Cancer Society; David’s House, a haven for terminally ill children receiving treatment through Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (NH) and their families; and the Tomorrow Fund, a non-profit organization that provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families who are treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI. Fans can learn more about the Racing Against Cancer TM Program by visiting their website at racingagainstcancer.com.
The Racing Against Cancer TM Program also received $758 from donations made by the generous fans on the midway of the New Waterford Speedbowl during the evening.
Event sponsor, the Foxwoods Resort Casino, provided all the race teams with some extra incentive during “Wings & Wheels”. The evening’s winners Lou Cicconi (ISMA), Chris Pasteryak (TVMRS), Randy Cabral (NEMA), and Ron Yuhas, Jr. (SK) all received a $100 bonus from the Foxwoods Resort Casino for carrying the R.A.C. logo across the finish line first.
Cabral, whose car owner Tim Bertrand lost his mother to cancer, a few months back donated the money to the Racing Against Cancer TM Team.
As part of the “Wings & Wheels” fundraising event, the Monahan Brothers, long-time weekly competitors at the Speedbowl, had a race within a race. The brother with the lowest finishing position in the event had to contribute a monetary donation to the Racing Against Cancer TM Program. By virtue of his seventh-place finish in the SK Modified 35-lapper, Diego Monahan beat his brother Shawn helping to earn R.A.C. another $200.
Shawn took his involvement one step further by offering up advertising space on his Foxwoods sponsored racer. All monies received were added to the proceeds of the night’s event. The local Zero-Draft distributor, weatherization materials professionals, the Stadium Sports Bar & Grill located at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, and the Late Model team of former Stafford Motor Speedway champion Jim Petersen, all combined to provide an additional $782.
Last week, with the excitement still in the air, Shawn Monahan became the tenth different winner in the Speedbowl’s SK Modified division, cruising to victory on Saturday, August 23. Monahan took the opportunity while in victory lane to present the $782 check to Racing Against Cancer TM
Program Director of Operations, Scott Gregory.
Gregory, too, earned a victory that night with a bold three-wide move to score his first victory of the 2008 season of the All-Star Race Trucks.
All triumphs were made sweeter when Speedbowl sponsor Pataya Flooring & Stone Supply Company of Niantic, CT, stepped forward to present a contribution matching the fundraising efforts of Shawn and Diego Monahan.
The great success of the event was made possible by countless people including Jim Reed and everyone at KOOL 101-FM. In addition to a tremendous advertising campaign, KOOL 101-FM conducted on-air interviews during the week with the likes of competitors Randy Cabral (NEMA), Rob Summers (ISMA), Diego & Shawn Monahan; Scott Gregory; and Speedbowl Management staff Steve Harraka and Billy Roberts.
“KOOL 101 went above and beyond and that is why the place was packed,” said Gregory.
Gregory, himself, is instrumental in the success of this and all ventures of the Racing Against Cancer TM Program.
Chris Pasteryak was quick to acknowledge the efforts of the R.A.C. Team.
“You’ve done great things for years,” said Pasteryak in victory lane during “Wings & Wheels”.
The R.A.C. Program was rewarded for their constant efforts with a great night of fundraising and the fans were treated to a great night of racing.
The parking lot was bursting, the grandstands were packed, and the pit area was full with open-wheel racecars. The impressive race card along with the tremendous exposure for the event provided by KOOL 101-FM helped to ensure a much-needed influx.
A grand total of over $6,200 was raised for the Racing Against Cancer TM Program and various cancer related charities.
Sources: Dale Wolbrink/Racing Against Cancer PR
Racing Against Cancer™ is a federally Recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, patient support services, cancer awareness, and youth tobacco educational programs.