Sat, 1 Sep 2007, 01:12 PM Don Schumacher Racing raises over $17,000 for Riley Hospital at Open House

Courtesy of Judy Stropus Photo by Will Truitt

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Over $17,000 was raised on Aug. 31 for Indianapolis-based Riley Hospital for Children when Don Schumacher Racing opened its 100,000-sq.-ft. NHRA drag-racing facility doors in Brownsburg, Ind., to the public, in advance of the prestigious U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park this weekend.

In six hours, nearly 5,000 fans, drivers, VIPs and NHRA drag-racing participants passed through the second annual Don Schumacher Racing Open House.

DSR offered race fans an opportunity to meet its drivers (Tony Schumacher, Gary Scelzi, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Richie Stevens, Angelle Sampey, and Antron Brown) and other stars of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. They also viewed and smelled 1960s and '70s vintage nitro cars and enjoyed classic cars and motorcycles on display by the Indy Hi-Winders Car Club.

Proceeds from the Car and Bike Show, a raffle of an assortment of autographed and custom products from DSR partners, as well as voluntary donations and food and beverage revenue, directly benefited Riley Hospital for Children.

DSR drivers also visited the young patients at Riley Hospital late Thursday afternoon. "In addition to the $17,000 that will go 100 percent to the benefit of Riley, it's important to realize that it will help families that may not have the resources to get the wonderful care the hospital provides," said Greg Williamson, Vice President of Development for Riley Children's Foundation.

"It is a great event in that it raises awareness in the several thousand people who came through DSR. Over and over they heard the Tyler Genneken story: that just one year ago this young man was diagnosed with Leukemia while on a family vacation and has been fighting for his life ever since."

"To have the Genneken family with us for the day and see Tyler aboard a nostalgia Top Fuel car during the Cacklefest made my day," said Mike Lewis, Senior Vice President of DSR. "The guys from the NHRA Museum made that possible, and I think they burned every last drop of nitro fuel to give him a moment he will remember forever.

"Exceeding last year's financial contribution is exciting. None of that is possible without the effort of DSR employees and their families. We have so many volunteers for this event and it is truly a labor of love for us," Lewis concluded.

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