| 'Race For Kids Sake' Huge Success | Last night at New Smyrna Speedway with packed pits and packed grandstands, the night air was filled with pure excitement. Track personnel all gave their time to the Second Annual Race for Kids Sake for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Volusia County.
Everyone except Ward Burton, who had a crash during testing yesterday at Daytona and was in the hospital, made it to the event plus Benny Parsons joined the group which was a really nice surprise. Kyle Petty, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones, Dave Blaney, Johnny Benson, Casey Attwood, Mark Martin and Benny Parsons were presented to the packed stands like NASCAR, in open cars around the track. Fans could not sit down from the beginning of introductions to the two races run by the Cup drivers.
Johnny Benson presented Randy Dye, from Big Brothers/Big Sisters with a check for $10,000.00 and with all the monies raised with the crowd, anyone would have to call this night a SUCCESS. Even the smallest fan to the oldest fan had fun.
Many of the fans on the grandstand side remarked how they spent hundreds of dollars just to get NASCAR autographs. This event only cost them $15.00 and they felt like they had gotten the "cream of the crop". John Andretti thrilled the crowd with his driving ability in the convertible he was riding in but took over the driving and did a few donuts for the crowd and burnouts. Fans said this was the "best" event they had attended in a while that gave so much for so little and such a good cause.
Casey Atwood won the first race in Chris Lawrence's #63 Late Model. Casey took the car out before the race for practice and he was flying. In the second race, Kyle Petty won in Randy Dye's #43. Kyle was a crowd favorite and all you could hear at times was "Kyle, Kyle" especially from the kids in the stands and pits. Kyle took time for everyone and this showed the kids that NASCAR drivers are very human.
For the three divisions that also raced for nothing but fun, cars came from everywhere. It was heart warming to see so many give their time, money, energy and cars to such an event. "Hoot" Flynn and Jerry Symons were the show for the modified division with "Hoot" taking the win. Mike Hendrix lead a great deal of the Super Stock race in his Dodge only to lose his engine and see Rich Clouser in Rob Watford's #17 come from the back of the pack to finish first. Before Mike lost his engine, that car was flying and no one would have touched him if the engine had not failed. Steve Griffin, the #3 North Carolina Mini-Stock driver, won the Mini's.
For everyone who came out and supported this event and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Volusia County, a thank you is in order for showing the kids that this charity supports that adults do care about children other than their own and we are there for all of you. Thank you fans, drivers, crews, track personnel and everyone who helped, see ya next year.
by Jane Smith
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