by Tammy Knox, director of race marketing affairs, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Fab Five Drivers Ricky Macomber and Trace Tetrick visited their selected charities this week to give back to the cause they represent throughout the year. Macomber presented a check for $1,336 to the Indiana School for the Deaf while Tetrick raised $1,330 during his fundraising efforts in 2010 for D.A.R.E., presented to the Anderson Police Department.

Ricky Macomber presented a check for $1,336 to the Indiana School for the Deaf.

Macomber made a trip to the Indiana School for the Deaf on Wednesday, April 27, to deliver his funds. The Florida native, who is a graduate of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., was born with a hearing impairment and chose the school as his charity for the Fab Five promotion. Since beginning the fundraising activities, he has raised more than $2,400 for the organization which assists with the kids attending the Academic Bowl each year at Gallaudet University.

Students from the high school section of the Indiana School for the Deaf came to the superintendent’s office for the presentation. Macomber talked to the students about his job as a harness driver and also about attending Gallaudet. He then presented them with t-shirts and Fab Five media books and signed autographs. In addition to the students involved in the Academic Bowl and Math competitions, Superintendent Dr. David Geeslin and Principal Dr. Mary Glenn Rinne were in attendance to greet Macomber and provide a tour of the facility.

Macomber has already had a speedy start in his fundraising efforts for the school this season. He was the winner of the Hoosierdega Champion Cup in April, adding $2,000 to his tally for the 2011 season.

Hoosier Park photos

Trace Tetrick (center) raised $1,330 during his fundraising efforts in 2010 for D.A.R.E., presented to the Anderson Police Department.

Later in the week, Tetrick attended the Anderson Police Department’s annual golf outing at Grandview Golf Course in Anderson. Tetrick presented a check to APD Police Chief Darron Sparks and Assistant Chief Stan Young. Tetrick’s funds are readily used by the department to fund supplies for the officer assigned to the school programs as well as Block Party events for APD.

Tetrick chose D.A.R.E. as his charity of choice due to the impact the program had on him when he was in middle school. Also, his mother, Maryalice, is still active in his hometown’s D.A.R.E. program with the local schools in Geff, Ill.

Tetrick, who is currently third in the standings this season, also recently earned his 1,500th career win at Hoosier Park. The 24-year-old driver also made history at the track when he became the youngest driver or trainer to ever earn a title, winning the driving title in 2008 at the age of 21.

Tetrick has also gotten off to a fast start in earning money for his charity this season. Tetrick finished second in the Hoosierdega Champion Cup to add $1,000 to his bankroll for the organization in 2011.

Both Macomber and Tetrick will be involved in the upcoming Charity Chariots, which offers racing fans a unique chance to ride around the track in a double seated jog cart. The $20 fee is applied directly to the driver’s charity. Charity Chariots gets underway during a special Memorial Day racing program on Monday, May 30. The event will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Grandstand Paddock, leading into the 5:30 p.m. racing program. Also, the afternoon will feature different activities for kids, including demonstrations and interactive games provided by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.

For more information on Charity Chariots and upcoming events, log onto www.hoosierpark.com.