Charity to be honored June 9 at West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductions
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., May 19, 2022 – Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports LLC, has been named the 2nd Annual Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year Presented by 51FIFTY.
The 2022 winner, whose eight chapters include Sonoma Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was jointly announced by the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame and Award sponsor 51FIFTY Enterprises. Speedway Motorsports LLC President Marcus Smith is slated to accept the award during the Hall’s June 9 Induction Gala presented by World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. The ceremony is being held for the first time at Sonoma Raceway’s new VIP/Hospitality complex which circles the road course’s iconic Turn 11.
The 12-member Class of 2022 – the hall’s 19th – will be enshrined. The night’s activities begin with registration/cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and awards will follow at 6:45 p.m. Valet parking will be available for guests. Highlights of the ceremonies will be broadcast later this summer by MAVTV. The event opens a packed weekend of racing at Sonoma Raceway, which includes the NASCAR Cup Series, ARCA Menards Series West and the return of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“The Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year Award, Speedway Children’s Charities, was chosen from among many nominated individuals and groups,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. “The Speedway Children’s Charities’ giving on behalf of the motorsports industry has an enormous impact both nationally and in Northern California and Nevada.”
“Thank you to the West Coast Stock Car and Motorsports Hall of Fame for the work you do and giving us the opportunity to present the Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of The Year award,” said Carlos Vieira, owner of 51FIFTY Enterprises and founder of Carlos Vieira Foundation, “We look forward to continuing this partnership and highlighting individuals and organizations who encompass the meaning of being philanthropists.”
The inaugural Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year Award by 51FIFTY was presented in 2021 to record producer, songwriter and racing team owner and sponsor Mike Curb.
Founded in 1984 by Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, SCC originated at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina and the Sonoma chapter is one of eight chapters at Speedway Motorsports facilities throughout the country. Since its inception, SCC Chapters have cumulatively distributed more than $60 million nationally to youth-serving organizations.
Speedway Children’s Charities Sonoma is dedicated to caring for children in critical need to help them and their families live safe, productive lives.
The Sonoma Chapter hosts several events and campaigns throughout the year to raise critical funds to distribute throughout the local community. The popular “Laps for Charity” event gives race enthusiasts a rare opportunity to drive the road course in their own vehicle, and new for 2022, fans can now adopt a famous Sonoma Raceway sheep with all proceeds benefitting SCC Sonoma.
To donate or view upcoming events, visit www.speedwaycharities.org.
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is to preserve history and heritage of the key role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
The Hall is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. Since 2017, the Hall has raised more than $600,000 for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue and other charitable causes.
For more information on the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame visit: www.WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
For Media information, Contact:
Owen A. Kearns
661-342-2983
okearns@bak.rr.com