Sunday, April 13, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Speedway Children's Charities use racing stars to raise money

Organization helps such charities as St. Jude's Ranch for Children and Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer

Many kids love auto racing, and it seems racers like kids, too -- and show it through Speedway Children's Charities.

John Bisci, public-relations manager for the charities and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, said the charities were created in 1984 by O. Bruton Smith, founder of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which has six tracks around the country, including the one in Las Vegas.

"He decided to start a charity that benefited children," Bisci said.

All money raised in Southern Nevada stays here; Bisci said that last year, the charities made grants totaling $228,000 to 31 local groups, including St. Jude's Ranch for Children, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer of Southern Nevada and Amerindian Inc.

The money comes from several fund-raising events. The recent charity golf tournament, for example, netted $13,500.

But the charities' biggest money-maker is the annual driver auction. The most recent one, held Feb. 28, brought in $145,720.

Bisci noted the auction coincided with the Winston Cup Series and Busch Series races. All of the Winston Cup Series drivers and the top 20 drivers from the Busch Series were auctioned at Sam's Town Live, he said. Those who can't attend the meet-and-greet -- for which fans pay $35 just to see their heroes -- are auctioned, although Bisci said they normally bring in more money if they're there. Fans bid for the chance to ride around the track with the driver during introductions before the race.

And the bids are big. Bisci said the top bid was $7,000 for Rusty Wallace last year; this year, the top bid was $6,400 for Tony Stewart.

"Somebody paid $6,400 to go a mile and a half in a convertible with Tony Stewart," he said with a touch of wonder.

Drivers sometimes sweeten the pot, he added. For example, Brett Bodine put his winning bidder's name on his car, and a Busch Series driver made his bidder part of his pit crew.

But what if the drivers don't want to participate?

"Nobody's ever said no," Bisci said.

Even the junior racers get involved in the charities. Bisci said an event conducted by the National Hot Road Association Junior Dragster Division raised $4,000.

A big event being planned for fall, Bisci said, is a fund-raising flight aboard an 80-seat jet, provided through the cooperation of Boeing. Bisci said children including Make-a-Wish kids will be able to ride on the flight -- which may go over the Grand Canyon -- with local businesses bidding to sponsor their seats.

"It's going to be a massive, massive project," Bisci said.

The local arm of the charities has an elected board, with Keith DeRiso currently serving as chairman and Lesley Albers as director.

Volunteers always are needed to assist with events, Bisci said. For more information, call Bisci at 632-8231.

To make a donation, mail a check to Speedway Children's Charities, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas NV 89115; attention Lesley Albers.