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Courtesy
of Speedway Children's Charities
05/21/2007
2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion Jimmie
Johnson will be honored during Speedway
Children's Charities' 27th annual Gala on
Wednesday, May 23, at the Ballantyne Resort
in Charlotte, N.C. The gala will be the
official kick-off to Coca-Cola 600 Week
race festivities at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Home
Improvement Chevrolet, will be recognized
and honored for his work on behalf of the
Speedway Children's Charities through his
Jimmie Johnson Foundation, an organization
Johnson founded last year with his wife,
Chandra. The Johnsons dedicate
their foundation efforts to support children.
The SCC Gala, which benefits the Charlotte
Chapter, represents one of the biggest area
fundraising nights of the year. Since its
inception, the Gala has raised millions
of dollars to improve the quality of life
for children with medical, social and educational
needs in the 10-county Charlotte region.
Festivities begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail
reception presented by Cadillac. The reception
will include the Keys for the Future program
presented by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies.
Guests will have the chance to purchase
keys to unlock a Schlage Residential Keypad
Lock and win unique prizes such as a weekend
getaway trip to the North Carolina mountains,
tickets to Bruton Smith's suite at the Coca-Cola
600 and an Atlanta Braves VIP package.
The highlight of the evening will be a
live auction featuring exclusive items for
bid such as an Andy Warhol painting; jewelry
from Diamonds Direct; a ride with Mario
Andretti on Fantasy Day at the Mario Andretti
/ Jeff Gordon Racing School; a one-of-a-kind
experience with Jimmie Johnson; a handbag
from designer-to-the-stars Moo Roo and much
more. Mike Solarte, Sports Director for
News 14 Carolina will serve as the master
of ceremonies.
Following the live auction, an after-party
presented by UBS Financial Services featuring
a live performance by the band Right On
will take place in the caddyshack. For event
information, including table sales and sponsorship
opportunities, contact Amanda Hollingsworth
at 704-532-3318, or email ahollingsworth@smicorporate.com.
In addition to the Gala, Speedway Children's
Charities is producing several other events
during Coca-Cola 600 Week. Fans can bid
on the opportunity to ride with select NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series drivers during pre-race
parade laps at the Coca-Cola 600 by visiting
www.bigshow.com.
Butch & Billy Products and Green Flag
Racing will present the Butch & Billy's
Charlotte Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament
Monday through Thursday, May 21-24. Sponsored
by the Texas Land and Cattle Steakhouse,
the four-day tournament offers participants
the opportunity to play poker with stars
from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series at the Speedway Boulevard
restaurant location in Concord. Call Scott
Turner at 704-264-4298 for more information.
On Thursday the groundbreaking for the
Friends of Speedway Children's Charities
Victory Lane will take place in front of
Lowe's Motor Speedway at the Avenue of Flags
in front of Smith Tower. For more information,
go to www.friendswall.com.
Founded in 1982 by Speedway Motorsports
Incorporated Chairman Bruton Smith, Speedway
Children's Charities provides funds to qualified,
non-profit organizations that directly affect
children in need of medical, educational
or social services. Through donations, sponsorships
and fundraising events, Speedway Children's
Charities distributed more than $2.8 million
to 470 organizations nationwide in 2006.
For more information, please visit www.speedwaycharities.org.
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