Johnson, Kahne, Bowyer and Team Owners Honored at the 33rd Annual Speedway Children’s Charities Gala in Charlotte
Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer honored at the 33rd annual Speedway Children’s Charities Gala after winning races at Charlotte Motor Speedway last year.
Photo – CMS/HHP
Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer, along with team owners Rick Hendrick, Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman, were honored Wednesday, May 22, at the 33rd annual Speedway Children’s Charities Gala presented by Sonic Automotive.
The event, located at the Ritz Carlton in uptown Charlotte, was aptly themed a “Night of Champions” as Johnson, Kahne and Bowyer each won a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway last year.
“We are proud to be able to honor five of NASCAR’s biggest stars at the gala this year,” said Marcus Smith, vice chairman of Speedway Children’s Charities. “These men are not only winners on the track; they are winners off the track too, giving back to the Charlotte community as well as the communities where they were raised.”
The gala is one of the biggest fundraising events in the Charlotte area and has raised millions of dollars over the past 30 years to improve the quality of life for children in the region since its inception. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the grant program of the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and will be awarded to local nonprofit organizations that help children in need.
“Our goals have remained constant – helping children in educational, financial, social and medical need in our community who many not otherwise have a voice,” said Lisa Starnes, director of the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
“The funds raised at the gala will have an important impact on the lives of many children and families in our community.”
The gala was hosted by FOX Sports personality Krista Voda. Entertainment was provided by popular recording artist Edwin McCain.
Festivities began at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. ESPN personality Marty Smith hosted the silent auction during the reception. Among the items up for bid was a VIP visit to FOX NFL Sunday, where the winner will meet Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Curt Menefee, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan, plus watch all of the day’s NFL games in a VIP room at the FOX Studios in Los Angeles, Calif. Other items up for bid include other VIP packages, jewelry, vacations and a yellow lab retriever puppy.
For more information on the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and how you can help children in need, visit www.charlotte.
