Firestone Racing Evening of Giving preview

FIRESTONE RACING EVENING OF GIVING SET TO TAKE GREEN FLAG ON MAY 6
Third Annual Benefit Features Auctions, Driver Appearances, Music by Jennie DeVoe

INDIANAPOLIS (May 1, 2008) - The time draws near for the kickoff event to the May social and charitable calendar in Indianapolis, the Firestone Racing Evening of Giving Benefit Concert and Charity Auction. The third annual Evening of Giving returns on Tuesday, May 6.

Presented by WTTS 92.3 FM, the Evening of Giving features live and silent auctions of racing items benefiting three important local children's charities, appearances and autograph sessions involving IndyCar Series and U.S. Auto Club (USAC) drivers, food, drink and fun. The entertainment highlight of the evening features a concert by local soul-blues singer Jennie DeVoe.

The Evening of Giving, also sponsored by the Music Mill, runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Music Mill, 3720 East 82nd Street, just east of Keystone at the Crossing. The autograph session at 7:30 p.m. is scheduled to include IndyCar Series drivers Max Papis and Jaime Camara, Firestone Indy Lights driver Chris Festa and USAC drivers Levi Jones, Brad Kuhn, Daron Clayton, Robert Ballou, Stephanie Mockler, Cole Whitt, Shane Cottle, Brady Bacon and Brad Sweet. The Jennie DeVoe concert begins at 8 p.m., the live auction at 9 p.m. and the silent auction runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Live auction items include the chance to be an honorary crewmember for the day with the Target Chip Ganassi Racing team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a ride in the IRL two-seater car. Proceeds benefit Indiana Children's Wish Fund, Racing for Corey and IRL Kids.

Admission is $40 per person at the door with donations encouraged (must be 18 years or older to attend). Group tickets of 35 are $900 and 20 are for $600. Event sponsorship with VIP reception is also available. Donations are tax deductible, but space is limited. For tickets and sponsorship information, call (317) 356-7279. & #160; Racing for Corey, a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3, was founded in 1999 in memory of a 9-year-old Indiana Children's Wish child, Corey Hanchar. Corey was granted a wish from Indiana Children's Wish Fund and received a red quarter-midget car. With the help of KECO Coatings and Indy-car driver Tyce Carlson, Corey's wish came true. Now his inspiration continues through various Racing for Corey events. www.racingforcorey.com

Indiana Children's Wish Fund, a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 charity established in 1984, grants wishes to Indiana children, ages 2-19, who suffer from a life-threatening illness. Wishes include; trips to Disney, shopping sprees, home computers, meeting celebrities and much more! To date, the Wish Fund has granted nearly 1,800 wishes for Indiana children. www.indianachildrenswishfund.org

A not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization founded in 1988, IRL Kids' on-site childcare program has become a significant part of the racing community. Provided to all participants of the Indy Racing League, through IRL Kids, families have the opportunity to stay together while traveling the circuit. IRL Kids is an activity-based program that provides a safe environment set up for kids, with activities, lunch, snacks, toys and fun! IRL Kids will care for more than 250 children this year alone.

Firestone, part of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), is the Official Tire and exclusive supplier to both the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Indy Racing League. Based in Nashville, Tenn., BFNT is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent comp any, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America. www.firestonetire.com.

-credit: firestone