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IRL Goes the Extra Mile

© Seth Ronald Eichhorn

When Sam Hornish, Jr. won the Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the real winners were the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th and their families. The official charity of the Indy Racing League is the American Red Cross, and as a result of the actions of the league and its drivers, owners, fans and teams, over $150.000 has been donated toward the relief efforts. In fact, Indy Racing Northern Light Series teams donated 10 percent of their Chevy 500 event awards to the American Red Cross Relief Fund.

Not only that but IRL President and President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway also gave a similar gift to the Red Cross. "In this time of need for America, we felt it was something positive we could do," said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families, and we hope this will help."

Individual drivers and owners also made additional contributions to the fund for relief of victims. Indy Racing driver/owner Eddie Cheever Jr. donated $20,000 in additional purse money to the Red Cross, and Treadway-Hubbard Racing donated $10 per lap completed in the Chevy 500 by teammates Felipe Giaffone and Rick Treadway. With Treadway completing all 200 laps and finishing fifth and Giaffone completing 69 laps, the team donated $2,690. Two-time Indianapolis 500 runner-up Scott Goodyear also donated $2,500.

Fans were also asked to help, as the American Red Cross set up collection booths at the entrances to the speedway, and while the totals are not in yet, the fans gave generously. It seems that in a time of need, open-wheeled race enthusiasts opened their hearts and their pocketbooks as well. The IRL and its fans truly are American heroes, in an All-American sport.

In fact, the entire open-wheeled community joined in as the Championship Drivers Association, comprised of drivers from the Indy Racing League and CART, also made a donation to the Red Cross disaster relief fund Oct. 1.

Individuals also pitched in. Several Indianapolis-area fire fighters traveled to New York after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 to help in the rescue efforts and Indy Racing League safety team member Tim Baughman and Indianapolis Motor Speedway fire fighters James Curseaden, Kenny Whitcomb, Bill Landes, Rickie McKinney and Kevin Hobbs helped in the efforts. Dr. Mike Olinger, an Indy Racing League safety team member, also traveled to New York to help.

The copyright of the article IRL Goes the Extra Mile in Indy Racing League is owned by Seth Ronald Eichhorn. Permission to republish IRL Goes the Extra Mile in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.