Stewart’s ‘Smoke Show’ Event Raises Record $217,000 For Speedway Children’s Charities
Fantasy Camp Featuring Two-Time Sprint Cup Series Champion Becomes The Largest Grossing Single-Day Event In History Of SCC
FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 26, 2008) – Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
champion Tony Stewart possesses a passion for charitable causes that nearly rivals his one
for racing.
Stewart made a special visit Tuesday to Texas Motor Speedway to conduct the
inaugural “Smoke Show” fantasy camp to benefit the Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas
Chapter and the event raised a record $217,000. That total makes the “Smoke Show” the
largest grossing single-day event in the history of SCC-Texas Chapter.
“Tony has a huge heart when it comes to charities and we can’t thank him enough
for the time and effort he put in for the ‘Smoke Show,’” Texas Motor Speedway President
Eddie Gossage said. “It was an incredibly successful event that will make a very significant
impact with Speedway Children’s Charities and the non-profit organizations it provides
financial assistance to through grants this year.”
The “Smoke Show” benefitting SCC was born from a public relations event with
Stewart last year that was held with a select group of media. The concept was transformed
into a fund-raising event and Stewart was more than willing to participate once again.
Twenty-nine participants, who paid between $6,000 and $8,250 for the day, enjoyed
the full race experience, complete with driver suit, parade laps, driver introductions, Victory
Lane celebration and two 10-lap driving sessions where they got behind the wheel of a
stock car. The group even got some driving tips and, of course, some good-natured ribbing
from the 2006 Dickies 500 winner.
But the day didn’t end there – every camper also received a thrilling, high-speed
three-lap ride-along around Texas Motor Speedway with Stewart. He also gave each a
signed pair of Oakley driver gloves and a pair of Oakley “Tony Stewart” sunglasses as
another memento from the day. Participants also received the opportunity to bid on items
during a live auction at lunch that included a signed custom “Smoke Show” helmet, signed
Stewart quarter panel and a signed canvas original painting of the No. 20 Home Depot car.
“The real heroes are the 30 people who made the generous donation to participate
in this event,” Stewart said. “It was a lot of fun for me and I hope it was for everyone else
today. It is a pleasure to donate my time for Speedway Children’s Charities and lend a hand
in making an impact in the local community.”
The money raised will be distributed to non-profit organizations across Denton,
Tarrant, Collin and Dallas counties. In 2007, the SCC-Texas Chapter distributed a record
$752,466 to 198 organizations across the Metroplex. Since its inception in 1997, the chapter
has raised more than $4.7 million for Dallas/Fort Worth area organizations. SCC generates
funds through a wide range of events and promotions held throughout the year. This year
the charity will hold 14 events, including the upcoming Laps for Charity II (Sept. 20) and
the Beretta Clay Shoot and Sam Hornish Jr. Celebrity Bowling Tournament (Oct. 30).
