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| IMS Gives Back Free Admission
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FREE ADMISSION, TOUR DEC. 23 AT IMS MUSEUM FOR 12 DAYS PROMOTION
INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum is offering free admission to the Museum and the narrated track tour on Wednesday, Dec. 23 as part of the 12 Free Days of Indy Christmas.
For the fourth consecutive year, IMS is participating in the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Associations popular program that offers the public free admission for one day to many of Indianapolis top tourist attractions. The IMS Hall of Fame Museum houses one of the worlds most diverse collections of race cars and historically-significant automobiles as well as motorsports artifacts and art.
The Hall of Fame Museum features more than 75 vehicles on display representing various facets of motorsports and automobile history including the Indianapolis 500, stock car racing, sports car racing and vintage luxury passenger models.
Cars currently on display in the Museum include the Marmon Wasp, winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911; all four cars that A.J. Foyt drove to victory in the Indianapolis 500; the one-of-its-kind 1957 SS Corvette; a Benetton F1 car driven by Michael Schumacher; and Tony Stewarts 2005 Brickyard 400-winning Chevrolet.
Also on display is a large array of vintage motorcycles including a 1910 Indian and a 500cc Suzuki that American motorcycle racing legend Kevin Schwantz rode to the 1993 world championship. Schwantz rode the same motorcycle during pre-race festivities for the second Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 30.
After viewing all that the Hall of Fame Museum has to offer, stop by the newly refurbished Brickyard Authentics gift shops in the Museum lobby to pick up any last-second holiday gifts.
The Hall of Fame Museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Dec. 23. For more information, contact the Museum at (317) 492-6784 or visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
Other Indianapolis-area attractions participating in the 12 Free Days of Indy Christmas include: Various Concerts and the Circle of Lights (Dec. 13), Rhythm! Discovery Center (Dec. 14), Indy Wine Trail (Dec. 15), Morris-Butler House, James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home, Meredith Nicholson Home (Dec. 16), Indianapolis Museum of Art, Lilly House & Winter Solstice (Dec. 17), NCAA Hall of Champions (Dec. 18), Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana Medical History Museum, Indianapolis Artsgarden Concert (Dec. 19), President Benjamin Harrison Home (Dec. 20), Indiana State Museums Celebration Crossing (Dec. 21), Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art (Dec. 22) and Childrens Museum of Indianapolis (Dec. 24).
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| WalMart Joins Victory Junction
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Walmart Joins Victory Junction’s Elite Founder List
$1 Million Mark Surpassed
RANDLEMAN, N.C. – December 14, 2000 – Victory Junction founders Kyle and Pattie Petty announced during the fourth Annual Run to Victory that Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has joined its elite Founder list by donating more than $1 million to the camp which serves children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.
“We are proud to partner with Walmart. The funds will impact the children we serve and we feel truly blessed and appreciative for all Walmart has done for Victory Junction,” said Pattie Petty, co-founder and chief executive officer.
Walmart supports Victory Junction in many different ways. Through the “Miles for Smiles” program, NASCAR Day activities and Kyle Petty's Charity Ride, Walmart has provided life-changing experiences for more than 500 campers. “Miles for Smiles” is a one-week annual campaign during which Walmart donates $.02 to Victory Junction for every safe mile driven by its transportation team.
"We are honored that our efforts have resulted in helping children enjoy this unique and special camping experience," said Bryan Boudreaux, Walmart regional vice president.
Working as a year round camp, Victory Junction serves children, ages 6-16, with a number of different health issues. All this is possible thanks to the generosity of corporations, individuals, and organizations, no child or family has had to incur the cost of attending Victory Junction.
"Victory Junction is really a very special place,” said Vince Biondo, Walmart Private Fleet regional vice president. “They have a great mission and Walmart Logistics is proud to support Kyle, Pattie and the rest of the team at VJ."
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| Ohio Family Gives Back At Martinsville
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MARTINSVILLE, VA (December 14, 2009) -- Tony McElrath, his brother Andy and their families normally make two trips a year to Martinsville Speedway. Last weekend they made the 16-hour round-trip drive from Newton Falls, Ohio for the third time this year and there wasn’t a race car in sight.
Tony, Andy, their wives and children, along with friends from Roanoke, made their third Martinsville trip of the year for Saturday’s toy drive at the historic speedway. They were part of a huge turnout that traded toys for laps around the half-mile track. By the end of the day, more than 500 toys had been donated along with more than $2,000 to purchase more toys.
The Grace Network of Martinsville and Henry County will be able to reach out to more than 300 children as a result of the generosity of so many.
“We love Martinsville Speedway. If you had more than two (NASCAR Sprint Cup) races, we would come to more,” said McElrath, who in addition to being a huge Jimmie Johnson fan is also a rabid Cleveland Browns supporter.
“We wanted to see our friends in Roanoke and the chance to drive on the track … that equates to being able to play catch on the field in the Cleveland Browns Stadium. And then to top all that off, it was to help a great cause.”
The McElraths have been coming to Martinsville Speedway for a half-dozen years on the urging of friends they met while camping at a Bristol race.
“We went to Bristol before Martinsville. We met our Roanoke friends at Bristol in the campground. They told us how exciting Martinsville was,” said Tony. “They sold us on Martinsville. Once we came, we loved it. Now we just come to Martinsville.”
Tony, Andy, their families and friends, spent several hours at Martinsville Speedway Saturday, taking turns behind the wheel of their family vehicles chasing the pace car, logging laps on the track they had only viewed from the Bill France Tower in the past.
They also hung out in the infield, where the twin brothers were able to indulge in another Martinsville passions: the World Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dogs. The final count: Tony edged brother Andy, eight dogs to seven.
“When you’re twins, everything turns into a competition. That’s why I ate eight and he ate seven,” said the 35-year-old Tony.
Their gastronomical efforts went for a good cause. The Martinsville Speedway staff worked the infield concession stand, selling the World Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dogs, Pepsi-Colas and hot chocolate for $1 each, with all proceeds going to the toy drive.
The McElraths also took time to point out their campsite in the North Lot Campground to their children, who aren’t allowed on the race trips. There have been as many as 21 adults on past Martinsville race trips making for fun afternoons in the grandstands and nights in the campground.
“I’ve been to other tracks, but there is no track like Martinsville,” said Tony. “Everything is so accessible. At some of the other tracks, the parking lots are too far away or everything is too congested. Here everything is so fan-oriented.”
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