Pro Gas opener set for Fontana

The Southern California Pro Gas racers will hold their opening weekend with two races on Jan. 24-25 at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Calif. It's $1,500 guaranteed to win each day.

The Russ Harris Memorial Race will be on the 24th with the K&N/Lucas Oil Pro-Gas Winternationals the following day.  (James Drew photo)[1/14/2009]

 

Force to speak as Speedway Children’s Charities honors Carroll Shelby

Fourteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force will be the guest speaker at the fourth annual Speedway Children’s Charities Mel Larson Night of Champions Dinner. This year’s event will honor American automotive and motorsports legend Carroll Shelby and will be held in the Bellagio Hotel & Casino’s Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 1.

“Carroll sets the bar very high for everyone else in motorsports,” said Force, who has 126 NHRA Funny Car final-round wins to his credit.  “He is truly a legend and I feel honored to be a part of any function that honors him and his accomplishments. We have a lot in common.  We're both racers; we're both Ford guys and we're both big storytellers.  It'll be great to get together with him again in Las Vegas."

Carroll Shelby participated in his first auto race – a quarter-mile drag meet – in January of 1952. In May of that same year, he tried his hand at sports car racing in an MG-TC in Norman, Okla., and won his first two races. Over the course of his colorful career, Carroll set speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, raced Ferraris in the 1950s and competed on the Formula 1 circuit in 1960. He was named Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated Magazine in 1957.

All proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.  This is the fourth year for the event in which a community member is recognized for his contributions to motorsports.

To purchase a table or tickets for this event, please contact Janae Melvin at 702-632-8242.  (DRO file photo)[1/14/2009]