by Kiersten Flint, Vice President of Advertising and Communications
Anderson, IN — On Friday (April 27) Verizon IndyCar’s James Hinchcliffe and harness driver John DeLong won Hoosier Park Racing & Casino’s first-ever IndyCar celebrity horse race for charity. Hinchcliffe accepted a $1,500 check for his charity, International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation. A $500 check was presented to the remaining drivers’ charities.
The charity race, coined Celebs in the Sulky, began at 6 p.m. and was sponsored by FLAT 12 Bierwerks. Four IndyCar and harness driver duos competed wire to wire on Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile track.
The race results are as follows:
First Place: James Hinchcliffe – with John DeLong for International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation
Second Place: Robert Wickens – with Ricky Macomber for Make A Wish America
Third Place: Alexander Rossi –with Sam Widger for Find Your Grind Foundation
Fourth Place: Zach Veach – with Trace Tetrick for Riley Children’s Foundation
“I have to compare it to a funny car, because in a funny car there’s this giant explosive thing right in front of you. It’s a little nerve-wracking,” said Hinchcliffe.
“I have to give a lot of respect for the animals and what they feel. I’ve watched a lot of horse races, but never harness. To see how their bodies move…it was pretty awesome,” Rossi noted.
The race was followed by a public autograph session with the drivers. Race fans all across Central Indiana came out for the event.
“We are honored to have these four world-famous Verizon IndyCar drivers compete for charity on Hoosier Park’s oval of speed,” said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing. “Along with being outstanding representatives of their sport, they are incredible advocates for their causes. We certainly hope to make this a tradition in celebration of the Indianapolis 500.
Each of the four celebrity drivers will compete in this year’s Indianapolis 500, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27. For more information about the Verizon IndyCar Series, please click here.
Celebs in the Sulky is sponsored by Flat 12 Bierwerks, located at 414 Dorman St. in Indianapolis. Flat 12 Bierwerks features a variety of brews including Hinchtown Hammerdown and Dan Patch Wit Beer, which were both on tap for the event. Flat 12 is also the home of Hoagies & Hops, offering sandwiches, salads, and sides. For more information about Flat 12 Bierwerks, visit their website by clicking here.
About the Verizon IndyCar Drivers:
Driver of the No. 5 Arrow Electronics Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, James Hinchcliffe was paired with John DeLong, racing on behalf of International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation. For more information please click here.
Robert Wickens, driver of the No. 6 Lucas Oil Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports raced in the sulky with Ricky Macomber. Wickens supports the Make A Wish America organization. For more information please click here.
Representing Find Your Grind Foundation, Alexander Rossi, driver of the No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda for Andretti Autosport, was paired with sulky driver Sam Widger. For more information please click here.
Indianapolis resident and driver of the No. 26 Group One Thousand One Honda for Andretti Autosport, Zach Veach raced for Riley Children’s Foundation, alongside Hoosier Park’s Trace Tetrick. For more information please click here.
About Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and team member culture. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, a fully-integrated gaming and racing facility, features 2,000 of the latest slots and electronic table games and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year. Simulcast wagering is offered year-round at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, the Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Downtown Indianapolis and Winner’s Circle OTB & VooDoo BBQ & Grill in New Haven/Fort Wayne, Ind. For more information on upcoming entertainment and promotions at Hoosier Park visitwww.hoosierpark.com.
Video footage of tonight’s event can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RPXDjTerqZXe1-UX6ojm8zfjYqEs_xI1