In just fifteen days, Spalding Foundation Director, Betty Sherwood and her dedicated group of supporters transformed a fleeting idea into a successful fund raiser. Last Friday night, The Spalding Foundation for Injured Drivers hosted their first in what is hoped to be an annual event at the Seneca Grand Prix. Over 40 local and professional drivers raced with race fans in a “Challenge the Champions” family fun evening raising over $ 2,200.00 for the Spalding Foundation. Shangri-La II Motorspeedway in Tioga Center, NY along with Grafix by Billy and Wyalusing Valley Motorsports Park in Wyalusing, PA came on board to sponsor “Challenge the Champions”. Former NHL Centerman, Jason Bonsignore, owner of Seneca Grand Prix donated the track and cars for the event. Ozzies Brisket from Binghamton, NY set up their BBQ Grills to feed the attendees.

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Mike Wallace was entertaining as he raced with his son Matt and many of the fans. Wallace’s Johnny Davis Motorsports crew all came to support the Foundation, including team owner, Johnny Davis. ARCA driver, Brent Cross was glad to be involved and had his car on display. The car was the one he raced at Pocono the week before. Local drivers represented all forms and levels of racing from dirt tracks, pavement tracks, microd and go-cart tracks were on hand. Canandaigua Speedway announcer and radio personality, Paul Szmal was joined by Shangri-La II Motorspeedway and Dover International Speedway announcer Tom Cummings for the play by play. Shangri-La II Motorspeedway’s Director of Public Relations, Watkins Glen International and New Hampshire Motorspeedway announcer Al Robinson served as Grand Marshall for the event and got things going with “Gentlemen Start Your Engines.”

“I can not thank everyone involved enough” said Betty Sherwood. “ From Jason Bonsignore and Ron Hills and The Race Report donating their resources; to all of the drivers, crewmen, fans and event sponsors coming together on short notice gives me encouragement that we could make the event even bigger next year if the opportunity presents itself.”

The drawing for the 2011 Dirt Bike Raffle ended on March 13 at the "2011 Motorsports Expo" in Syracuse, NY.  The winner of the bike was Jim Hickey, Little Meadows, PA!

Dawn Maynard, D&J Photo, once again held a bowling fundraiser to benefit the Spalding Foundation for Injured Drivers.  The event proceeds were $1650.00*

Special thanks to Dawn and everyone who participated!

*Amount has been updated.
 

The Motorsports Expo auction at the New York State fairgrounds in Syracuse on Saturday, March 13 raised over $2,900!

The winner of the raffle was Lucas Bahr from Dushore, PA.  Lucas is a young racer from the Wyalusing Motorsports Park roster.  We hope Lucas and his guests enjoy the tour!!

The auction held at the Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, NY on March 14, 2009 to benefit the Spalding Foundation for Injured Drivers, Inc. raised over $2300.00.  In addition, the American Traditions Motorsports Team donated over $200.00 from funds raised through the use of their race simulator.  The foundation wants to thank everyone involved in the show for making this fund raising event a success.

On January 25, 2009, Dawn Maynard once again held a bowling fundraiser to benefit the Spalding Foundation for Injured Drivers.  The event was held at Starlite Bowns in Towanda, PA and proceeds were $1560.00.

Special thanks to Dawn and for all that participated!

The Spalding Foundation held a memorabilia auction at the Syracuse Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, NY on Saturday, March 8, 2008.  Proceeds from the auction exceeded $2600.00.  Special thanks to American Traditions Motorsports for their $270.00 donation and to all the bidders!

Dawn Maynard arranged a bowling fundraiser to benefit the Spalding Foundation for Injured Drivers.   Six of asphalt's best and six of dirt's best drivers, along with their fans and crews, went after the top honors as bowlers.

The event raised $1234.00.  Special thanks to Dawn and for all that participated!

click on images to view full picture

The Spalding Foundation, with the help of fans and nine racetracks, raised much-needed funds with the 2007 Fund Raising Event Series.  The Spalding Foundation would like to extend a special thanks to all the tracks who took part of this effort and all the fans would attended the races.   

For more information on the 2007 Fund Raising Event Series, click here

The Spalding Foundation held a memorabilia auction at the Syracuse Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, NY on Saturday, March 10, 2007.  Proceeds from the auction exceeded $2000.00.  Special thanks to the Patrick family at Gater Racing News for their support and to all the bidders!

Troyer Race Cars, Inc. had a grand re-opening in Rochester, NY on
Saturday, Jan 10, 2007.  Through a Chinese Auction held at the event,
$624.00 was donated to the foundation.

Thank you to Bill Colton and everyone at Troyer Race Cars for this donation!

Black Rock Speedway in Dundee NY donated a significant amount of funds, $15.000.00 to the foundation. This is the largest amount of money ever donated to the organization at one event.  Thank you to Dean Hoag at Black Rock Speedway for the donation and for putting forth every effort to turn an evening plagued with bad luck into a memorable night for everyone.  Speed TV’s Bob Dillner, drivers Tim Fedewa and Tim McCreadie, with Modifed drivers from Black Rock put on a great exhibition race for the fans in attendance. 

Kenny Schrader, with wife Ann and children Dorothy and Sheldon, and Ron Fellows with wife Lynda were on hand for the evenings event.  Ray Evernham surprised everyone when he appeared in time for the autograph session.  Scott Wimmer had been confirmed for the dinner, but the airlines red alert that weekend diverted his flight and he arrived in the area well after the event had ended.  Scott’s people apologized for his absence.  Perhaps he’ll be able to make it next year.  The dinner was held at a new location this year, the Wings of Eagles Warplane Museum at the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport with catering by Corning Culinary, Inc..  Those in attendance were impressed with the atmosphere and the food as well.

Much thanks to the all the guests and the drivers for attending the event and helping us raise much-needed funds for the foundation.

for pictures, click here

The live auction at the 16th Annual Waverly Racing Fan Fair Auction in Waverly, NY helped raised over $500.00 for the foundation.

Special thanks to all the bidders!

The Spalding Foundation held an auction for the first time at the World of Racing Motorsports Show.  Proceeds from this auction exceeded $3600.00.  A big thanks goes to Doug Gardner and Don Lane for allowing the foundation to hold an auction to benefit the organization

On Saturday, March 11, a racing memorabilia auction was held at the Carquest Motorsports Expo in Syracuse, NY.  Proceeds from the auction exceeded $1200.00.  Special thanks to the Patrick family for allowing the foundation to hold the annual auction at the expo.

Binghamton Mets Baseball league held a race night at one of their games in August of 2005.  Several Dirt and Asphalt teams put their race cars on display at the stadium that night and the foundation received over $500.00 in donations from the BMets Club, Penn Can Speedway and Thunder Mountain Speedway.
 

Proceeds from the 12th Annual Celerity Dinner and Silent Auction exceeded $6,000.  This year's guest were Ken Schrader and Ray Evernham.  Special thanks to these gentlemen for donating their valuable time.

Our thanks to to the Horseheads Elks Lodge, Horseheads, NY for hosting this event.  Many, many thanks to the all the guests for attending the event and helping us raise much-needed funds for the foundation.

The live auction at the 15th Annual Waverly Racing Fan Fair Auction in Waverly, NY helped raise over $1,060 in proceeds.

Special thanks to all the bidders!

The foundation participated in the "Southern Tier Speedworld" Motorsports show at the Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, NY.  A silent auction was held to benefit the foundation and proceeds from the weekend exceeded $1200.00.  Thank you to show promoter Paul Szmal and everyone who bid on the auction items.

Proceeds from the 11th Annual Celerity Dinner and Silent Auction exceeded $8,200.  This year's guest were Ken Schrader, Ray Evernham, Kasey Kahne, Jeremy Mayfield, Brad Leighton, Matt Kobyluck, Mike Olsen, and Brian Hoar.  Special thanks to these gentlemen for donating their valuable time.  Big thanks to emcee Al Robinson who once again provided an energetic and fun-filled evening!

Our thanks to to the Horseheads Elks Lodge, Horseheads, NY for hosting this event.  Many, many thanks to the 300 plus guests (a sell-out, as usual!) for attending the event and helping us raise much-needed funds for the foundation.

more pictures, click here

The raffle started off at the Len Sammons-Motorsports Show in Ft. Washington, PA in January 2004 by the Spalding Foundation.  Raffle tickets were available throughout the season at various facilities and motorsport shows.  Proceeds from the season raffle were $1,746.00. 

One of the items for the season raffle, donated by Brice's NAPA Store,  was a NAPA basket filled with over 35 NAPA racing items.  A big thanks to Janice and Bill Brice!  Visit Brice's NAPA Auto Supply store, click here

Lyndell Miller donated items for a raffle that was held at Tioga Motorsports Park during the 2004 season.  $682.00 was presented to the foundation from this raffle.  A big thank you Lyndell!

Proceeds from the auction to benefit the Foundation held at Ithaca Race Day in August exceeded $800. Thanks go out to Pam Denmark, Amy Miller and Tami Blasz, organizers for the auction.

Proceeds from the silent auction to benefit the Foundation held at Southern Tier Speedworld in Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, NY were $1,009.

The silent auction during the Carquest Motorsports Show at the New York State Fairgrounds raised $1,900.

Proceeds from the 10th Annual Celerity Dinner and Silent Auction exceeded $8,000.  Special thanks to the 345 fans that attended, the drivers, crew and emcee Al Robinson.

While the weather prevented many of the drivers from arriving at the event on Saturday, August 9, Tony Stewart and Jimmy Spencer and the Winston Cup crewmen and rig drivers put on a great show for area fans!We owe a great big thank you to Tony Stewart, Jimmy Spencer, crewmen and rig drivers and to TIOGA MOTORSPORTS PARK for your support and help in raising $12,500 for the Spalding Foundation on Saturday, August 9.