Auction Winners Participate in Racing For Wildlife 200 Race Day Events

June 12, 2009

It’s not every day that a race fan has the opportunity to wave the green flag as 39 cars roar to life along the front stretch of Michigan International Speedway. Even rarer is the type of day experienced by Erin Bucchino at the Racing for Wildlife 200 ARCA race on June 12, 2009. Erin, grand marshal for the race, stepped up to the microphone to command, “Drivers, start your engines!” only seconds before being shuttled through the tunnel beneath the track so she could climb the flag stand on the other side to officially start the race.

Erin was one of several auction winners who participated in race-day activities at the June 12 Racing for Wildlife 200 ARCA/RE/MAX race at Michigan International Speedway. Several opportunities to participate in Friday’s race activities were auctioned off on the NASCAR Foundation’s website, with proceeds going to Racing for Wildlife’s work in the nearby Waterloo Recreation Area.

Brett Hadley and Skip McPherson, both from Akron, Ohio, were the winners of the “Bird’s Eye View,” allowing them to watch the start of Friday’s race from the best seat in the house - the spotters’ stand high above the front stretch. Carla Hadley, also from Akron, won a ride in the pace truck in the warm up laps prior to Saturday’s truck series event. All of the auction winners also participated other race-day activities, including taking part in winner’s circle festivities with race winner Parker Kligerman. They also watched the race from the Racing for Wildlife suite behind pit road, where NASCAR legend Bobby Allison dropped by to tell a few stories and to discuss his continued support of the Racing for Wildlife message. Brett Hadley described the day’s activities as “a once in a lifetime opportunity” and noted Allison’s visit as the highlight of the weekend for him.

Friday’s event allowed these unique opportunities for race fans while also supporting an important environmental cause. Racing for Wildlife continues to pursue projects that conserve critical outdoor areas near NASCAR tracks and provide additional outdoor opportunities for children. In conjunction with the Michigan event, Racing for Wildlife, a joint venture of The Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation, announced support for building a new dock and providing camp scholarships for children at the nearby Cedar Lake Outdoor Center in the Waterloo Recreation Area.

Stay tuned for more fun activities at the June 2010 Racing for Wildlife 200 at MIS and at other tracks over the months ahead!