FT. WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Fans flocked to the Fort Washington Expo Center Friday anticipating the 21st annual Motorsports show presented by VP Racing Fuels. Many of the thousands of attendees stopped by the Checkered Dreams charity display and admired the donations of many racing related items that were donated by NASCAR teams.
At one point through out the day, upcoming 16-year-old late model pilot, Jackie Ziegler, signed autographs for the fans. Central PA small block modified champion, Shawn Reimert signed as well, later in the evening.
By the days end there were many silent auction items that all ready had bids. The item with the largest bid was a race used quarter panel from the #1 Mopar sponsored Dodge truck driven by Ted Musgrave. Musgrave won the ’05 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title. At the end of the day, the bid on the piece was $300. The second most popular item was a Rusty Wallace crew shirt that was at $125 by the day’s end.
Sue Ziegler (Checkered Dreams president) commented on the location of the charity’s booth at Motorsports ’06. “We’ve had plenty of interest, the booth is awesome and in a great location” noted Ziegler.
NASCAR Busch Series star, David Green was on hand at the show and signed autographs at the stage. Following the session, Ziegler asked Green if he would be kind enough to sign a piece of sheet metal at the booth. Then he not only signed the one piece, but also went on and signed the remaining David Green items.
Day two was even more special than the first. Since the inception of the annual show, Saturday has had the most attendance. Again, Checkered Dreams had even more drivers on hand to meet the fans and sign autographs. Drivers such as Billy Pauch (dirt modified star), Eric Beers (Whelen modified tour), Don Wagner (NASCAR Busch North Series), Shawn Reimert, Ricky Gonzalez (ARCA and Craftsman Truck Series driver), Tyler Haydt (Whelen modified RoY), Jackie Ziegler, Marissa Nelmes (Mountain thriller driver) and Josh Oswald (Mountain thriller driver). Ms. Mountain Speedway (April Makarewicz) and Ms. NEETS (Cindy Bott) were also at the booth, meeting fans and signing autographs.
Much like the first day, by the end of Saturday a slew of items had serious bids. Along with the Musgrave quarter bid from Friday, a Billy Pauch racing suit was all ready up to $200 and others were above the 100-dollar mark. Of course, the driver stand-ups, race used sheet metal and hero cards were a big attraction to the silent auction goers, including a limited Sam Bass print of the late Dale Earnhardt. The ‘Quick Silver” print is signed by both Bass and Earnhardt. One other popular item was a #15 NAPA fireman’s helmet, which was signed by Michael Waltrip. Only two were ever produced and Waltrip has the other!
Sunday was not only the final day of the show, but also the day where the winners from the auction were announced. Again, Ziegler and Reimert signed autographs and late model racer, Pat Hargan, joined them.
When the auction ended, the $300 bid on the Musgrave sheet metal from Friday stood. Another popular item was a signed helmet visor from Kevin Harvick, which brought in $255. Local big block dirt modified star, Billy Pauch donated a uniform, which ended at $200. The winners of the Sam Bass Print "Quick Silver" were returning auction regulars Carmen and Steve McPhillips, and the winner of the second raffle item the Michael Waltrip Fireman’s helmet was the charities president herself, Sue Ziegler. The driver that will receive next year’s fireman’s helmet will be the fans choice, so please watch www.Jackie88racing.com to place your vote.
Checkered Dreams would like to thank (in no particular order) all of the drivers and track personnel that signed autographs for the fans. The time contributed toward the charity and our sport is greatly appreciated.
Checkered Dreams wouldn’t have been part of the auction if it weren’t for Lenny Sammons, Joe Pratt and the entire AARN staff for their overwhelming amount of support, in particular Betty, for her kindness and Jason Arthofer of Speedboys in Windgap, PA for suggesting that we should approach Lenny Sammons about the show.
Also, special thanks go out to all of the teams, both of the local and of the NASCAR levels, who were so generous with their donations, along with the other venders who generously helped with getting a jump-start on next year. Last, but not least: For all the show goers, who placed bids on items or even stopped by: Thank you!!
The next fundraising event for Checkered Dreams is a bus trip to Dover International Raceway in June. Please watch out for the upcoming event at www.jackie88racing.com.
