Over 100 people converged at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Friday, November 4th to announce the fundraising tallies for Racing Against Cancer™, a program dedicated to raising money for cancer research in hopes of bringing the black flag down on the disease. The annual luncheon provides an opportunity to recognize those who helped raise funds throughout the year, and to present checks to cancer-related charities. The management team of the Racing Against Cancer™ program and members of the senior management staff of Foxwoods Resort Casino were on hand to present the awards.
Scott Gregory, Director of the Racing Against Cancer™ program, kicked off the agenda with an announcement that Founder Jon Blanchette was unavailable to attend. Blanchette, who formed Racing Against Cancer™ in 1996 after the death of his wife, had recently become a father to 6 pound, 9 ounce baby girl, Nicole.
Through the efforts of many generous and talented racing teams and organizations, the Racing Against Cancer™ program raised $64,000 in 2005. A total of $454,215 has been raised since the program’s inception.
“Next year we’re crossing the half-million dollar mark and that is very exciting,” said Foxwoods Vice President of Marketing Bob DeSalvio. “To raise $64,000 in this year – a year of hurricane’s and rising gas prices – is a testament to this cause. None of it would have been possible without the help of all the volunteers.”
Although Racing Against Cancer™ Director of Income Development Steve Fales noted the amount of racing talent in the room, it was the actions of those drivers off the track that brought them to the luncheon. Every racing discipline was represented from go-karts to midgets and from Busch North teams to Busch Series teams. The support on the part of the racing community continues to grow year after year. Scott Gregory hopes that the $12,000 increase over last year’s funds grows by even more next season.
“The 2004 season was a bit of an eye opener for me,” said Gregory. “It was our first down year. I’ve set a personal goal for next year – I’d like to raise $100,000! I know it’s hefty, but I think we can do it.”
Randy MacDonald concluded his third season on the Racing Against Cancer™ team with a sizeable donation. MacDonald joined forces with Foxwoods and R.A.C. in a sponsorship agreement for the New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway in July. With driver Dale Quarterley, the MacDonald team finished 25th in the NASCAR Busch Series race. With a matching program from Foxwoods, over $14,600 was donated to the American Cancer Society through the Racing Against Cancer ™ program.
GRIZCO Racing, owners of the #55 Busch North Series entry driven by Mike Stefanik and the #25 entry driven by Brad Leighton, and long-time team sponsor Burnham Corporation once again spearheaded a program that resulted in a $12,500 donation to David’s House, a haven for terminally ill children and their families near the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire.
In an emotional speech, David Cyr, the founder of David’s House, said “On January 20th, 2006, David’s House will be 20 years old. That sure didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of all the wonderful people like you.”
Brad Leighton, who lost his father-in-law Roger to cancer this year, spoke on behalf of GRIZCO Racing. “Watching all of you, it hits me hard. The work everyone here does is so important. I’m proud to be associated with the Racing Against Cancer™ program, and I’ll be the first one in line to try and help them reach their goal of $100,000 for next year.”
The Racing Against Cancer™ Cruise Night on Lake Winnipesaukee continues to grow by leaps and bounds. This year, NEXTEL Cup Series driver and longtime supporter of Sugar Hill Speedway, Jerry Nadeau, raised the stakes on the evening by holding a Poker Tournament that helped in collecting a total of $4,600 for Racing Against Cancer™.
Debbie Archambault, Director of Special Programs for Racing Against Cancer™ and owner of Sugar Hill Speedway, acknowledged The Racing Against Cancer™ Program at Sugar Hill Speedway with several awards. Through Racing Against Cancer nights and the Junior Ambassador Program, Sugar Hill Speedway was directly responsible for fundraising efforts that exceeded $11,000. The Junior Ambassadors included an impressive array of young driving talent including: Chris and John Kenyon of Manchester, NH; Nicholas and Alex MacDuffie of Salisbury, NH; Austin Brehio of Hopkinton, NH; Dale White, Jr. of Ipswich, MA; Luke Labonte of Litchfield, NH; Russell Wood of Pelham, NH; and Dan Bowes of Georgetown, MA.
The Junior Ambassadors and Sugar Hill Speedway owners Archie and Debbie Archambault, were awarded the Jodi Blanchette Outstanding Achievement Award for exceeding expectations of fundraising. “They have a special place in our hearts,” said Steve Fales about Sugar Hill Speedway and the Junior Ambassador program. “They are good people. They came on board a couple of years ago and they have done nothing but push Racing Against Cancer™. They do so much for us.”
Scott Gregory recognized the efforts of three local drivers although they were unable to attend the luncheon. Wall Stadium Street Stock driver Kent Kreider together with his owner John Stoddard donated all of their 2005 season winnings to the Racing Against Cancer™ program as did Thompson Speedway Mini-Stock driver Steve Romjue for a combined total of $3,000.
Tom Mayberry of the Pro All Star Series in conjunction with Northern Tire made a donation on every tire purchased for the PASS series throughout the 2005 season for a total of $4,500. Bill Doll of the World Karting Association continued to expand the Racing Against Cancer™ program throughout the karting ranks. In addition to raising monies, Doll has helped build a marketing program in the W.K.A. that will take the Racing Against Cancer™ name to a national level. Because of his support and efforts, Doll and his entire family were recognized with the William J. Fales Sportsmanship Award. “It’s great to get up here and get a plaque and everything, but none of that is necessary,” said Doll. “My hope is that one day no one will ever have to suffer from this terrible disease.”
Former Ambassador and current Racing Against Cancer™ team member Josh Currier donated a fundraising sign to Scott Gregory before a presentation was made to the American Cancer Society. The Racing Against Cancer™ program were able to bestow upon the organization a check in the amount of $30,000.
“What you are doing is making a difference,” said Bruce Marshall of the A.C.S. “The progress you are making is really saving lives. I come here looking forward to this because I know how much work you did to raise this money, and it thrills me to tell you how much it is making a difference. If you get a diagnosis of cancer today, it’s a lot better then it was 10 years ago. But I still encourage everyone out there to get cancer screenings. One thing that we have learned is this: if cancer is detected early, the doctor’s have a much better chance of treating you.”
And with those words, the management and team members of Racing Against Cancer™ set out to begin reaching their 2006 goals. “We’re going to grow, we’re going to expand, we’re going to the people, and we’re going to raise money,” concluded Fales.
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.

Westbrook, CT (August 10, 2005)
The Racing Against Cancer™ Program is proud to announce the availability of spirit bands. The popular silicone wristbands are available in the R.A.C. Team’s signature purple color and are embossed with the program name and logo. The awareness bracelets are $2.00 each (with an additional $1.00 for shipping) and can be purchased on the R.A.C. secure website, www.racingagainstcancer.com or from any R.A.C. team member.
The sale of the wristbands will increase awareness for the ever-growing Racing Against Cancer™ Program as well help raise much-needed funding for cancer related charities and programs.
In 2004, the Racing Against Cancer™ Program raised $55,000 for the American Cancer Society, David’s House and other cancer related programs. Over $386,000 has been raised since the programs inception in 1996. In 2005, the Racing Against Cancer™ Team remains committed to the cause. The spirit bands are another way for the R.A.C. team to generate funding for fight against cancer.
Members of the racing community are urged to continue their support of the Racing Against Cancer™ Program by taking part in the Join the Team Membership program. See the R.A.C. website for complete details.
The Racing Against Cancer™ Program is supported by the best of the best in New England Racing and beyond. Join them by purchasing your R.A.C. spirit band today.
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.
Westbrook, CT (July 11, 2005)
It was announced last week that Dale Quarterley of Westfield, MA will pilot the MacDonald Motorsports entry in the New England 200 for the Busch Series at New Hampshire International Speedway on Saturday, July 16, 2005. For the third straight year, the Randy MacDonald owned team will campaign a Foxwoods Resort Casino sponsored entry on behalf of the Racing Against Cancer™ Program.
“We are very excited to continue our affiliation with Randy MacDonald,” said Scott Gregory, Director of Operations for the Racing Against Cancer™ Program. “And we are even more excited that a local talent will be doing the driving on our behalf.”
Foxwoods Resort Casino of Mashantucket, CT 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 Quarterley’s earnings in the New England 200.
In the two years since joining forces, the MacDonald Motorsports team has helped to raise over $24,000 for the American Cancer Society. In 2003, MacDonald drove a Craftsman truck entry on behalf of the team to earn $7,500 and in 2004 Kevin LePage competed in the Busch Series earning $16,830 for the fight against cancer. (Foxwoods ran a similar program in 1999 with Brad Leighton and the GRIZCO Racing team. Their winning effort in the event helped to raise over $18,775).
‘This program has been very exciting for all of us with the R.A.C. team,” continued Gregory. “It gets our program much needed national exposure and it helps tremendously with our fundraising goals for the American Cancer Society every year.”
Car owner Randy MacDonald of Thomasville, NC, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and 1985 NASCAR North Rookie of the Year, was inspired to become involved with the program by his father Marrill "Doc" MacDonald, who has battled cancer twice.
"I was just trying to do everything a son could do," said MacDonald. "If I could help to raise some money for the fight against cancer, that was just one more thing I could do for my father."
A father that MacDonald says has done everything to help him realize his dream of owning and operating a successful race team.
"My dad understands my dreams and he does everything he can to make that dream a reality,” continued MacDonald. “Without his support there would be no racing career."
Today his father is a cancer survivor and MacDonald and his family are as committed as ever to the R.A.C. Program and the fight against cancer.
“This is an amazing group of people,” continued Gregory. ‘It is a thrill and an honor to be associated with racing at the Busch Series level and with the likes of Randy MacDonald, the MacDonald Family and Dale Quarterley.”
The potential of this arrangement is made even more promising considering the success that Quarterley has experienced at New Hampshire International Speedway in the Busch North Series. He is the defending race winner for the New England 125 for the Busch North Series as well as the 2004 NHIS track co-champion with Andy Santerre.
After a very successful career in AMA Superbike and other forms of motorcycle racing, Quarterley has developed into a very talented stock car driver. He finished a career-high third in the final Busch North Series point standings in 2004. He scored his first two career super speedway victories in 2004 at New Hampshire International Speedway in July and Dover Downs International Speedway in September. Quarterley has 131 Busch North Series starts with six wins, 28 top-five and 61 top-10 finishes. He began his BNS career at road races only before competing in a full schedule in 1999.
Quarterley will be doing double-duty on the weekend, as he will also compete in both the New England 200 and New England 125 for the Busch North Series. The Busch North Series event will take place on Friday afternoon while the Busch Series event is scheduled to go green at approximately 3:00 PM on Saturday.
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 50,000 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.
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.
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