NASCAR Stars, Sprint Car Fans and Drivers Ready to "Kick-It Old School" in Knoxville
FOURTH-ANNUAL TONY STEWART KICK-IT CUP AND THIRD-ANNUAL WELD RACING GO-KART SPECTACULAR SET FOR 2015 KNOXVILLE NATIONALS
The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation announced plans for the fourth-annual Tony Stewart Kick-It Cup and third Weld Racing Go-Kart Spectacular at the 2015 FVP Knoxville (Iowa) Nationals. To honor Jeff Gordon's long and illustrious racing career, which included winged and non-winged sprints from 1985 to 1990, the week's events will be old-school with a reference to the 1980s.
All proceeds from the week's Kick-It events will go to Kick-It, a program and partner of the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, which raises money for pediatric cancer research.
"I cannot thank the sprint car community enough," said Gordon. "They have really stepped up and supported this program, and they make it bigger and better every year."
Events begin at Slideways Karting Center in Knoxville on Wednesday, August 12, with an all-star lineup of NASCAR and former sprint car drivers racing their biggest fans. NASCAR champions Gordon and Tony Stewart, as well as 17-time Sprint Cup winner, Kasey Kahne, and Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson, will race against 50 race fans in Slideways' fastest winged karts.
"Last year, we certainly had a lot of fun and raised a tremendous amount of money for Kick-It and pediatric cancer research," said Gordon. "It was pretty darn cool battling Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne on a slick go-kart track. I can't wait for this year's event."
Jeff Gordon celebrates his 2014 Weld Racing Go-Kart Spectacular with VIP and cancer fighter Shawn Benson.
The race, starts at 2 p.m., local time and will consist of eight heat races, a last-chance foot race showdown, and a 20-lap feature event.
To sign-up to race and donate to Kick-It please visit http://www.kick-it.org/games/2015/08/third-annual-go-kart-spectacular. The event is open to the public for a $5 admission per person (12 and under are free) with all proceeds benefitting Kick-It.
"WELD Racing is excited to partner once again with the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation to sponsor this fun-filled go kart race that helps raise money for the serious cause of battling children's cancer," said Norm Young, president and CEO, WELD. "We are longtime supporters of sprint car racing and thank the loyal fans and racers for the many ways they have supported this important cause."
Larson will once again be a guest bartender at the famed Dingus Lounge, across the street from Knoxville Raceway on Thursday, August 13. Larson will pour all of the latest and greatest drinks, cold beer and more for one hour starting at 2 p.m., with all tips and donations benefitting Kick-It.
On Friday, August 14, Knoxville Nationals 410 winged sprint car drivers will take on their fellow racers in a five-inning game of old-school kickball to see who takes the Cup. World of Outlaws series drivers, as well as Knoxville regulars, PA Posse boys, West Coast drivers and more will take to the field at Young's Park at 12 noon, local time. Confirmed players at this time include Shane Stewart, RJ Johnson, Danny Dietrich, Bryan Clauson and Lee Jacobs. This year's game also includes a special award for best 80s-style uniform. This event is free to the public.
"I have a passion for sprint car racing and its fans share that same passion," said Stewart, sponsor of the week's Kick-It events. "This is evident whenever we have an event for Kick-It and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation. The support these two entities receive from the sprint car community is incredible.
"We have a blast racing karts every year and I wish we could all be a part of the kickball game, too. I stay in touch when I'm at the NASCAR race and keep an eye on how much is raised. I'm proud to be a part of this event and I support it every year."
In addition, a one-hour Fan Fest from 11 a.m. until the first pitch, will include the Minnesota Mafia's Longest-Kick contest for kids, music, food and more.
A live and silent auction will take place throughout the Fan Fest and following the Tony Stewart Kick-It Cup. The auction will feature autographed racing items from both sprint car racing and NASCAR as well as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for diehard racing fans. The 2015 top item is a side wing panel from Gordon's first 410 ci sprint car.
For more information on the kickball game and auction, including confirmed players and auction items as they are listed, please visit http://www.kick-it.org/games/2015/08/4th-annual-tony-stewart-kick-it-cup.
From now through the FVP Knoxville Nationals, updated information on both events can be found at the aforementioned websites and on Twitter @TSKickItCup and facebook.com/KnoxvilleKickIt. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both the karting event at Slideways Karting Center and the Tony Stewart Kick-It Cup kickball game at Young's Park. Auction items for donation, particularly any vintage memorabilia, are also welcomed. Contact Kendra Jacobs, kjacobs@spiresportsinc.com, for more information.
KICK-IT STATISTICS:
EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIRT TRACK RACING SINCE 2012: 35
MONEY RAISED AT DIRT TRACKS: $691,885
Cancer kills more children than any other disease. Kick-It, with the help of volunteers and donations world wide, is making a difference. Your donation will fund vital children's cancer research.
You can donate to the Tony Stewart Kick-It Cup as a proud member of the sprint car racing community at http://www.kick-it.org/games/2015/08/4th-annual-tony-stewart-kick-it-cup.
ABOUT JEFF GORDON CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION AND KICK-IT
Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation supports children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patients' quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. For more information visit www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org.
Kick-It is a national volunteer driven effort focused solely on raising money for children's cancer research. Founded by a 10-year old cancer patient who wanted to help other kids by playing his favorite game, Kick-It events are held all over the country and as far away as Australia.
Kick-It and Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation partnered in 2012 with one simple goal in mind- to accelerate a cure for children with cancer. For more information, visit www.kick-it.org/jeffgordon.