2004 Racing Against Cancer Press Releases

Racing Against Cancer™ Holds Luncheon to Honor Supporters;
Donates $55K to Cancer Related Charities

Westbrook, CT (December 10, 2004)

The Racing Against Cancer™ Program announced the fundraising tallies for the 2004 season at the annual luncheon held at the Foxwoods Resort Casino on Friday, December 3, 2004. The management team of the Racing Against Cancer Team™ and members of the senior management staff of Foxwoods Resort Casino also took the opportunity to honor the various teams that drove the success of the Racing Against Cancer ™ program this season.

From go-karts to the Busch Series, participation in the R.A.C. program is representative of nearly every racing discipline.

“It is the wide-reaching spectrum of teams that makes this program so successful,” said Scott Gregory, Director of the Racing Against Cancer ™ program. “With the unwavering support of Foxwoods Resort Casino and the amazing team members, we know that we will continue to be a viable means of fundraising for the American Cancer Society and other cancer-related charities.”

Through the efforts of many generous and talented racing teams and organizations, the Racing Against Cancer ™ Program raised $55,000 in 2004. A total of $386,310.77 has been raised since the programs inception in 1997.

“As evident by the number of the senior management team in attendance here today, Foxwoods really believes in this program,” said Foxwoods Vice President of Marketing, Bob DeSalvio.

Foxwoods has been the cornerstone of this program since the beginning. After losing his wife Jodi to cancer in 1994, Jon Blanchette, a Foxwoods employee, approached the casino with a slight variation of corporate matching gift program. He requested that Foxwoods match the winnings of Scott Gregory and his then American Race Truck Team. For every dollar that Scott won at the racetrack, Foxwoods would match in the form of a donation to the American Cancer Society. Today, through the efforts of the Gregory team and a number of specialty projects that over the years have involved Brad Leighton and Phil Rondeau, Foxwoods has donated in excess of $90,000 to the American Cancer Society.

“I never dreamed this program could get this big,” said Founder Jon Blanchette, “but I hope to be here for 20 more years.”

It was the original agreement between Blanchette and Foxwoods that spawned the birth of the Racing Against Cancer™ Program. And it is the commitment of Gregory, Foxwoods and the hundreds of drivers, owners, teams and race fans that continue to fuel the success year after year. Although each could be recognized for their feats on the racetrack, the Racing Against Cancer™ team members were honored on Friday, December 3, 2004 for their accomplishments off the track. Each driver and team member was presented with an award for their outstanding participation in 2004.

“All the members of the Racing Against Cancer™ program run up front each and every week,” continued Blanchette. “But it is their work off the track that makes each and everyone of them special.”

Many repeat programs continued to net the substantial funds for the program in 2004. Once again, Randy MacDonald joined forces with Foxwoods and R.A.C. to gain national coverage as well as a large contribution. With driver Kevin LePage, originally from Shelburne, VT, the MacDonald team finished 15th in the NASCAR Busch Series race held at New Hampshire International Speedway. With a matching program from Foxwoods, over $16,000 was donated to the American Cancer Society through the Racing Against Cancer ™ program.

GRIZCO Racing, owners of the #55 NASCAR Busch North Series entry driven by Mike Stefanik, and long-time team sponsor Burnham Corporation once again spearheaded a program that resulted in a $10,000 donation to David’s House, a haven for terminally ill children and their families near the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. “We do not get any state or federal funding,” said David’s House founder, Dick Cyr. “We rely solely on private funding like that of the Racing Against Cancer ™Program. The kids asked me to send their thanks.”

A special thank you was also extended to fellow Busch North Series competitor Dave Dion who could not be in attendance on Friday. "Dave Dion is an amazing representative of the Racing Against Cancer™ Program,” said Development Director of R.A.C., Steve Fales.

The Racing Against Cancer™ Program at Sugar Hill Speedway continues to gain momentum year after year. Through Racing Against Cancer nights and the Junior Ambassador Program their involvement has become crucial to the fundraising success. A group of four young men, who race weekly at Sugar Hill, including Eli Lussier of Northfield, NH, Jacob Dore of Sanford, ME, Dan Bowes of Georgetown, MA and Jacob Vanada of Berkley, MA used several means of fundraising including candy bar sales, matching gifts, etc. to help raise over $7,000 for R.A.C.

The Junior Ambassadors and Sugar Hill Speedway owners Archie and Debbie Archambault, through their fundraising prowess, made it a clean sweep of the specialty awards winning both the Jodi Blanchette Outstanding Achievement Award, for exceeding expectations of fundraising, and the William J. Fales Spirit of Sportsmanship Award. “It is an honor for us to be part of this,” said an emotional Archie Archambault, after accepting their second award of the day.

The final specialty award, the Volunteer of the Year, was for the second straight year awarded to Norm Moriarty for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Racing Against Cancer ™ Program.

Former Ambassador, Josh Currier, who graduated to stock car racing at Canaan USA Speedway, continued his affiliation with R.A.C. and single-handedly raised $700 this season. Bill and Jen Doll were recognized for their part in fundraising with the World Karting Association while Allison Legacy Series competitor Mark Boges was honored as well.

Thompson International Speedway and White Mountain Motorsports Park were also recognized for their generous support of Racing Against Cancer ™ Nights in 2004.

First time participants in 2004 included Featherlite Modified Series veteran and N.E.A.R. Hall of Fame race, Bob Polverari and the Mayberry Family, through their ultra-competitive Pro Stock touring series, the Pro All Star Series (P.A.S.S.). Polverari and his team donated a portion of their winnings each and every time they qualified and raced in 2004. Mayberry, in conjunction with Northern Tire, donated $00.50 per tire sold to P.A.S.S. during the season, resulting in a contribution to the Racing Against Cancer ™ program of $2,800.

Stu Murray of Wirtgen America has been instrumental in fundraising for the Racing Against Cancer ™ Program for several years now. In 2004, his efforts have had much more far-reaching impact on R.A.C. Through sponsorship of the Galeridge Racing team, who races Ford Focus Midgets in CA, Stu helped to develop enhance the R.A.C. “Join the Team” Program and ultimately created a Racing Against Cancer branch on the West Coast. “We are now a bicoastal charity,” said Fales with great pride. Currently, there are over 30 “Join the Team” members from California.

The final presentation of the day was a check for $25,000 to Bruce Marshall of the American Cancer Society.

“A lot of good has come from this vision and hard work,” said Marshall. “We applaud you for your involvement in helping to chip away at this disease. Your hard work and generosity is translated into saved lives.” According to A.C.S. statistics, today there are 10-million cancer survivors with advancements in research being discovered each day.

“In the casino the house has an edge,” commented Blanchette in his closing speech, “Now we have an edge with cancer.”

The remaining funds raised in 2004 will go to fund the final stages of implementation of the Youth Tobacco Awareness program. "Over 1/3 of cancer is related to tobacco,” continued Marshall. “It is imperative that we get the youth early and stop them from smoking at all.”

In 2005, the Racing Against Cancer™ will focus it’s energies on instituting the Youth Tobacco Awareness program in local communities. Other goals include an increasing visibility for R.A.C. with marketing partnerships with regional and national media outlets as well as cementing relationships with other charitable foundations like the Cam Neely House to increase the scope and magnitude of fundraising.

“Next year a bigger check will be on this wall,” concluded Fales, “I guarantee it!”

The Racing Against Cancer™ program is a federally recognized 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the raising of funds for cancer research, patient services, youth tobacco educational programs, and awareness.

R.A.C.™ Drives Fundraising with Monte Carlo Night

Weare, NH (September 6, 2004)

It is not a salute to the cars that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon race to glory on the Nextel Cup Series. R.A.C. Monte Carlo Night™ is a celebration for those that come together in the fight against cancer. On September 16, 2004, Racing Against Cancer will proudly host the third Annual Racing Against Cancer™” Monte Carlo Night presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino. The fundraiser will take place at the Alpine Grove Banquet Facility in Hollis, NH from 6:30-11:30 PM.

A donation of $20 per person entitles race fans admission for a full night of Monte Carlo style gaming, an Italian dinner buffet and live entertainment. Participants will receive gaming tokens (no cash value) for a wide variety of table games. At the end of the evening, all remaining gaming tokens will be redeemable for raffle tickets. Items up for grabs will include a 3-day/2-night stay at the Foxwoods Resort Casino as well as a host of racing related memorabilia, apparel, etc. For the serious R.A.C. ™ supporter and avid fan, additional gaming chips may be purchased throughout the evening. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive even more gaming chips. (Food donations will be distributed to the NH Food Bank.)

Guests will also have the opportunity to hobnob with some of New England's racing elite as six of NASCAR Busch North Series Champions will be making special guest appearances during the evening. Cherryfield, ME native Andy Santerre (2002-2003) of Mooresville, NC, Mike Olsen of N. Haverhill, NH (2001) Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, NH (1999-2000), Mike Stefanik of Coventry, RI (1997-1998), Dave Dion of Hudson, NH (1996) and Kelly Moore of Scarborough, ME (1995) will all be on hand to meet and greet guests, sign autographs and try their luck as well.

Proceeds from Monte Carlo night will benefit Racing Against Cancer™ and other cancer-related charities and programs.

Tickets for the R.A.C.™ Monte Carlo Night presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino my be obtained by sending a check or money order to Racing Against Cancer™ P.O. Box 1092, Westbrook, CT 06498. Tickets will also be available at the door. Questions regarding the upcoming Monte Carlo Night should be directed to the Racing Against Cancer™ office at (860) 608-1885.

The Alpine Grove Banquet Facility is located at 19 South Depot Road, Route 111A in Hollis, NH. Driving directions to the Alpine Grove can be found on the Alpine Groves website at www.alpinegrove.com

Sugar Hill's Speedway Racing Against Cancer™ Night Breaks Record

Weare, NH (August 30, 2004)

New England’s Premiere Miniature Motorsports Racing Facility, Sugar Hill Speedway, hosted the Annual "RACING AGAINST CANCER NIGHT" on Saturday, August 28th. Representatives from the Racing Against Cancer Team, including Sugar Hill’s Junior Ambassadors raised funds for the American Cancer Society and David’s House through raffles, race-a-thon funds, can tab collections, etc. Dan Bowes of Georgetown, MA and Jake Vanada of Berkley, MA made considerable contributions, which assisted in making it a record breaker for Sugar Hill. Other presentations were made by Sugar Hill, Riley Racing, Vanada Racing, Dale White Racing with monies raised from candy sales, raffle donations, and miscellaneous contributions from dedicated Sugar Hill competitors and their families. Junior Ambassadors, Jacob Dore of Sanford, ME, and Eli Lussier Sugar Hill also made their contributions. Special thanks to Jon Blanchette, Scott Gregory, Norm Moriarty, and Steve Fales for helping to make this evening a great success. Sean Caisse of Pelham, NH represented the Racing Against Cancer team with his first appearance in the Foxwoods/Racing Against Cancer-sponsored SH Modified and finished third.

Join us all on Thursday September 16th for the third annual Racing Against Cancer Casino Night presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino. This event will be held at the Alpine Grove Banquet Facility in Hollis, NH. Tickets and additional information can be obtained by contacting Sugar Hill, or visiting the Racing Against Cancer website at www.racingagainstcancer.com. Donations are $20 per person in advance and includes an Italian Dinner Buffet. Everyone is welcome! Six NASCAR BUSCH North Series Champions will be attending for an autograph session. Proceeds will benefit the Racing Against Cancer Team. Tickets may be purchased in advance. Entertainment will be provided for both Adults and Kids.

For more information on Sugar Hill Speedway, please vist www.sugarhillspeedway.com

Lepage & MacDonald Motorsports Take on the Magic Mile for
Racing Against Cancer™

Westbrook, CT (July 29, 2004)

MacDonald Motorsports announced that they will be joining forces with the Foxwoods Resort Casino to campaign in the NASCAR Busch Series at New Hampshire International Speedway on behalf of the Racing Against Cancer™ Team. Driver Kevin Lepage of Shelburne, VT will come back to his roots in an effort to earn a hefty donation for the Racing Against Cancer™ Program.

For the second straight year, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT entered into a one-race deal at New Hampshire with Randy MacDonald as a fundraising effort to support the Racing Against Cancer™ Program. Foxwoods will make a donation directly to the American Cancer Society in the name of MacDonald Motorsports and the Racing Against Cancer™ Program in the equivalent of Lepage's earnings in the New England 200 on Saturday, July 24.

The two had a similar arrangement last year when MacDonald himself raced in the New Hampshire 200 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Despite engine failure early, MacDonald still earned $7,500 for Racing Against Cancer™.

Due to rules changes in the Truck Series, MacDonald shifted gears and moved on to the Busch Series for the 2004 season. Having chased and lived his dream of a driving career for over 17 years, MacDonald also decided to concentrate solely on the managerial side of his racing operation.

"The best way for me to stay in the sport while giving my family the consideration they deserve," said MacDonald, "was to be a car owner."

With the seat of his Chevrolet vacant, he went in search of a driver that would help reduce the learning curve of a new car and a new series.

"Kevin has been an asset to the team," said team owner Randy MacDonald. "He is making us step it up. He is a confident and competent driver and that allows us to concentrate on building our knowledge of the car."

The race at NHIS will be the fifth in the new affiliation between MacDonald Motorsports and Lepage. The other Busch Series races included Dover, Charlotte, Daytona and Chicago. A deal has been reached for Michigan as well.

With over a million dollars in posted awards and Lepage's experience at the Magic Mile, this program has a huge potential as a fundraiser for the Racing Against Cancer™ Program.

The two-time Busch Series race winner (Homestead '96 & Bristol '98), has six starts in the Busch Series at Loudon with a career best finish of third in the Gumout Long Life Formula 200 in 1998 aboard the Channellock #40 for car owner Doug Taylor. A top-ten finish came in the New England Dodge Dealers 250 for Lepage in 1994 while flying the Vermont Teddy Bears sponsorship on his own #71. Eight starts in the then-Winston Cup Series netted Lepage a career-best of 16th in 1998 in the Farm Aid CMT 300 as a Rookie for Roush Racing.

New Hampshire is a homecoming for the Vermont-native who got his start racing the short tracks of the northeast including Catamount Speedway and Thunder Road. Lepage ran seven years in the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) before moving South to pursue his professional racing career. The pairing unites two former fellow competitors as MacDonald, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, also raced ACT.

"We are so proud to renew our association with MacDonald Motorsports," said R.A.C. Director of Operations, Scott Gregory. "And we could not be more happy that Kevin Lepage is part of the project this year as well."

Involvement with the NASCAR Busch Series provides a number of significant benefits to the Racing Against Cancer™ Team including a lucrative prospect for the fight against cancer and national television coverage. This project will have major significance as the Racing Against Cancer™ strives to set yet another record fundraising year.

"We would like to thank everyone at Foxwoods," continued Gregory. "Year-after-year, they continue to put the Racing Against Cancer™ program in the forefront of their marketing plan. The benefits of their support are immeasurable."

Unlike the success of the Program, which measures nicely in dollar signs. The Racing Against Cancer™ Program was established in 1996 with the sole purpose of raising money for the fight against cancer. To that end the program has been a huge success. Since its inception R.A.C. has raised over $331,000 for the American Cancer Society, other cancer related charities, and programs.

Raising money for the fight against cancer is only part of the motivation for Randy MacDonald. His father, Marrill "Doc" MacDonald has been battling cancer for years.

"I hope to build awareness," said MacDonald. "Everyone knows about cancer, unfortunately most people have had to deal with it in their own lives. What I hope to do is help identify a way that the general public can contribute to research by supporting the American Cancer Society and the Racing Against Cancer™.

The "Join the Team" Program, a project of the Racing Against Cancer™ Team, is open to everyone. Proceeds support the Youth Tobacco Awareness Program that is designed to keep kids from smoking. Details are available on the web at www.racingagainstcancer.com.

"This race is a tribute to my father, too," continued MacDonald. "He is an inspiration to cancer patients. He proves everyday that you can live life to it's fullest. He gets up every morning, gives thanks for a new day, and goes full-throttle until he hits the bed totally exhausted."

Exhausted but fulfilled.

Doc will be high atop the pit cart on Saturday, July 24th at New Hampshire International Speedway on to cheer on Lepage, his son and the entire MacDonald Motorsports team as they strive to visit victory lane and a big payday for the fight against cancer.

Foxwoods Resort Casino is the largest resort casino in the world with more than 315,000 square feet of gaming space in a complex that covers 4.7 million square feet. More than 40,000 guests visit Foxwoods each day. Accommodations at the resort total more than 1,400 guest rooms and suites. Amenities include 24 restaurants with varied menus that are sure to satisfy every palette; an entertainment complex suited for guests of all ages and interests; the Grand Spa and Salon as well as first-class shopping. Foxwoods is located off Route 2 in Mashantucket, CT.

R.A.C.™ “Modifieds” Its Fundraising Efforts in 2004

Westbrook, CT (June 6, 2004)

Racing Against Cancer ™ Director of Operations Scott Gregory has always been able to create new programs to help raise money for the fight against cancer. Recently, he developed a new revenue generator for the R.A.C. program that also offers him the opportunity to show his appreciation for the members of his own racing team.

Each of the crewmembers of Gregory’s All-Star Truck Series team will get to take a turn driving a newly acquired SH Modified at Sugar Hill Speedway in Weare, NH this season. Jim Burke of Old Saybrook, CT, Norm Moriarty of Dayville, CT, and Jon Blanchette on Sterling, CT will join Gregory as the registered drivers of the scaled-down version of an open-wheel Modified that is powered by a sealed V-Twin 38 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine. For each feature win posted by the team, the Foxwoods Resort Casino will donate $500 to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the Racing Against Cancer™ Program. Foxwoods has pledged a minimum donation of $150 for each start by the Modified team at Sugar Hill this season.

“These guys give so much of themselves not only to my racing effort but to all the events that the R.A.C. is involved,” said Gregory. “This was a great way to show my appreciation and to let them have some fun, too!”

Each of the drivers will get a shot at running the SH Modified. The veteran racer of the group, Gregory will debut the new R.A.C. entry with starts on April 24th and May 1st. He will turn over the helm to Moriarity, a mainstay on the ARTS crew and 2003 R.A.C. Volunteer of the Year, on May 8th and 29th and again on June 12, 2004. Burke, who is the crew chief on the ARTS Truck, is scheduled to race on June 5, July 3 and September 4. Co-founder of the Racing Against Cancer ™ Program, Blanchette, will get his chance to shine behind the wheel of the SH Modified on July 31, August 7 and September 11, 2004.

It makes perfect sense that Gregory would choose an SH Modified for his brainstorm. Not only is the spec division a great entry-level division for the novice race team; but also, Sugar Hill Speedway has been an integral part in the fundraising success of the Racing Against Cancer ™ team over the years.

To learn more about the SH Modified log on to www.sugarhillspeedway.com. Log on to www.racingagainstcancer.com to get all the latest news on the Racing Against Cancer™ Program including a full schedule of events and activities scheduled for 2004.

Sugar Hill Speedway Owners Recognized for Fundraising Efforts for R.A.C.™

Westbrook, CT (January 26, 2004)

After seven years, the Racing Against Cancer™ Program continues to thrive. The sustained success is due largely to the depth of character of each of its many members. Motivated solely by the will to provide much-needed funding for the fight against cancer, over 50 race teams in New England work tirelessly to ensure the success of the Racing Against Cancer ™ Program.

Recently, the Racing Against Cancer ™ Team proudly recognized two of its members, Archie and Debbie Archambault, owners of Sugar Hill Speedway in Weare, NH, with the presentation of the third Annual William J. Fales Spirit of Sportsmanship Award. The Archambaults were acknowledged for their multi-level approach to fundraising and their care and concern for all those involved with the program at their top-notch facility.

The Annual William J. Fales "Spirit of Sportsmanship" Award was created in memory of William J. Fales and celebrates the best family-style approach to raising funds for the program. Fales, who passed away in 2001, was the founder of Power Mist Racing Fuels. He is the late father of R.A.C. manager Steve Fales, an active member of the New England racing scene. William had an enthusiasm for life, a contagious optimism that he passed on to his family and those lucky enough to have known him. An ardent supporter of the Racing Against Cancer™ program, the award is a fitting tribute to a man that loved racing almost as much as he loved his family.

Archie and Debbie have created an environment at their speedway that embraces family values. More than 20 divisions, featuring both adult and children’s classes, compete each week on the 1/5-mile asphalt oval and road course. Although it is all business at Sugar Hill Speedway, fun is stressed as much as is discipline.

For the kids that race at Sugar Hill, the program is tailored to allow them the opportunity to develop as racers and as individuals. With the Racing Against Cancer™ Junior Ambassador Program, the Archambaults have developed an atmosphere that allows the kids to shine. They give the kids the tools, the marketing and promotional support, and often the motivation to do their own fundraising for R.A.C.

Junior Ambassadors for the 2003 season, Frank Fichera, III of Pelham, NH, Eli Lussier of Northfield, NH, Jacob Dore of Sanford, ME, and Josh Currier of Newport, NH, did a number of activities to help raise money for the fight against cancer including petitioning for donations, selling candy bars and raffle tickets, and collecting can tabs. Sugar Hill Speedway annually hosts a Racing Against Cancer ™ Night as well.

Fittingly it was Steve Fales who inspired the Archambaults to bring the Racing Against Cancer™ program to Sugar Hill.

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Racing Against Cancer™ Holds Luncheon to Honor Supporters; Donates $55K to Cancer Related Charities