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RESCHEDULED VAN METER INDUSTRIAL NIGHT THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
FANS ADMITTED FOR $1.00 MINIMUM DONATION TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’S MIRACLE
NETWORK AT U of IOWA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
By Brad Grupe
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (May 18, 2011) - This Friday night, May 20th is Van Meter
Industrial, Inc. night at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The event was originally
slated for last Friday night but inclement weather postponed the night’s
activities.
In addition to regular points racing in the Papa John’s Cup/I-Wireless
Championship Series, a special celebrity Legend Pride Race is on the card.
The 15-lap celebrity race will feature Tim Dwight of the Atlanta Falcons and
Iowa Hawkeyes; Eddie Berlin of the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears and UNI
Panthers; CBS2 Sports Director, Jared Aarons; and Van Meter executive Mike
Gassmann. After the pride race, Van Meter will raffle off footballs
autographed by Dwight and Berlin.
In addition, a Tim Dwight signed Iowa Hawkeye Football Helmet will be
auctioned off during the evening.
**(Media note: the celebrity Legends Pride Race is tentatively slated for
approximately 8:20pm)**
This event has become an annual tradition sponsored by the employees of Van
Meter.
“We choose a different local charity each year to support. Our goal is to
help raise awareness and financial support for the cause,” said event
coordinator, Kendra Fish. “Two years ago we raised $5000 to assist Cedar
Rapids flood recovery efforts and last year we collected over $6000 for
Aiming for a Cure Foundation. We see this as an opportunity for us to
entertain our employees, customers, and members of the community at the
speedway, all while achieving one of our core principles in giving back to
the community.”
Admission is typically $10 for adults but with Van Meter Inc’s annual race
sponsorship the admission price is waived. In return, race fans are
encouraged to give a monetary donation with 100 percent of the proceeds
directed to Children’s Miracle Network to benefit the University of Iowa
Children’s Hospital.
Four of the six divisions racing at Hawkeye Downs have seen repeat feature
winners during the first two weeks of action.
Nathan Ballard has chalked up two wins in the Barron Motor Supply Hobby
Stocks while Cory Houdek owns both feature wins in Coca-Cola Sportsmen. Tim
Plummer has two trips to victory lane in Budweiser Modifieds and finally,
Joey Gase has won both Performance Concepts Late Model features.
In addition to heats and features in those four divisions, fans will see
heats and features in McGrath Powersports Legends and Sunline Hornets.
The Innovative Signs Trophy Dash is also on the card with six drivers from
the Hornets division battling for six laps.
Pre-race ceremonies including the Van Meter Color Guard and the singing of
the National Anthem by Justin Roberts, KGAN/KFXA Meteorologist, kick off at
7:15 pm with the first green flag set to wave at 7:30pm.
The gates at Hawkeye Downs Speedway open at 6 PM and races start 7:30 PM.
Admission will be a monetary donation at the gate for adults 18 years and
older – 17 or younger enter for free. Hawkeye Downs is located at 4400 6th
Street SW in Cedar Rapids.
For additional information on Childrens Miracle Network:
Michelle Altmaier Phone: 319-335-9003 or Email: Michelle-altmaier@uiowa.edu
For additional information on Van Meter Industrial:
Kendra Fish, Event Coordinator 319-368-2896
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