Notebook: NASCAR Hits Town with Driver Appearances and Activities

The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard is upon us, and the good folks at IMS have compiled a list of driver appearances and activities. Some events may require pre-registration or tickets, etc. If in doubt, check with the organizers of the event.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2

1-7 p.m.
10th Annual Kroger Race for Riley Presented By Cheerios and WIBC
Who: John Andretti, Mark Dismore, Rupert Boneham (”Survivor”); Tony Stewart, Sarah Fisher, Boston Reid, 1-2 p.m.
Where: Mark Dismore’s New Castle Motorsports Park
Why: Riley Children’s Hospital is the beneficiary of all event proceeds; approximately $120,000 was donated in 2005 and $720,000 since 1996.
Schedule: Autograph Session, 1-2 p.m.; Sponsor Race, 1:55 p.m.; Media Race, 2:15 p.m.; Check Presentation, 2:30 p.m.; John Andretti Challenge, 6:30 p.m.
Web site: www.race4riley.com

6-8 p.m.
Tony Stewart and J.J. Yeley Appearance
What: Autograph session
Where: The Home Depot, 4850 E. Southport Road, Indianapolis

THURSDAY, AUG. 3

10-11 a.m.
Reed Sorenson Appearance at Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Who: Reed Sorenson
What: Unveiling of motorsports display, which includes both the No. 41 Target NEXTEL Cup Series car driven by Sorenson and the No. 10 Target IndyCar Series car driven by Dan Wheldon. Chip Ganassi Racing and Target donated the cars, which will be on display throughout the winter.
Where: 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis

10 a.m.-noon
Harrah’s Foundation Donating 2006 Chevy Colorado to Meals on Wheels
Who: Robby Gordon
What: The Harrah’s Foundation will donate a new $40,000 Chevrolet Colorado meal delivery truck to Meals on Wheels, Inc., a non-profit meal delivery service for Central Indiana homebound elderly and disabled. Following presentation of the delivery truck, Robby Gordon will drive the Harrah’s No. 7 Chevrolet Monte Carlo race car to the nearby homes of two Meals on Wheels clients to deliver meals.
Where: Meals on Wheels Headquarters, 1099 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Fourth Annual “Women In The Winner’s Circle”
What: Luncheon, silent auction and awards presentation with all proceeds benefiting the Lyn St. James Foundation Driver Development Program.
Who: Lindsay Barton, Jessica Brannam, Jill Canuso, Erin Crocker, Allison Duncan, Renee Dupuis, Sondi Eden, Erica Enders, Sarah Fisher, Ashley Force, Brittany Frosh, Amanda Gogel, Katie Hargitt, Jessica Helberg, Sloan Henderson, Sierra Jackson, Julia Landauer, Allison MacLeod, Shannon McIntosh, Veronica McCann, Verena Mei, Stephanie Mockler, Alli Owens, Alison Quick, Megan Reitenour, Deborah Renshaw, Angelle Sampey, Stephanie Stevens, Samantha Taylor, Shayna Texter, Michelle Theriault, Miranda Throckmorton, Lynsey Tilton, Melanie Troxel, Jenny White, Hillary Will
Where: Plaza Pavilion, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Web site: www.lynstjames.com

1-3 p.m.
Greg Biffle Pennzoil Change for Charity Event
What: A two-hour charity oil changing event.
Where: Jiffy Lube, 355 N. Shadeland, Indianapolis, (317) 353-0500
Why: Proceeds go to Matt White Cure ALS Foundation and Greg Biffle Foundation

4-8 p.m.
Fifth Annual Jeff Gordon Bowling Tournament
Who: Jeff Gordon, Allen Bestwick, Rupert Boneham (”Survivor”), Kyle Busch, Jeff Hammond, Sam Hornish Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus, Steve LeTarte, Kyle Petty, Richard Petty, Boston Reid and PBA professionals Parker Bohn III, Mark Fitzgerald and Danny Wiseman.
Where: Western Bowl, 6441 W Washington St., Indianapolis (317) 247-4426
Why: Proceeds go to The Jeff Gordon Foundation benefiting Riley Hospital
Schedule: Registration/Red Carpet, 4 p.m.; Media Interviews, 4:25-5:10 p.m.; Welcome 5:10 p.m.; Parker Bohn III Trick Shot Exhibition, 5:45 p.m.; Tournament, 6 p.m.; Check presentation, 7:30 p.m.
Web site: www.jeffgordonfoundation.org

4-9 p.m.
Sixth Annual Dodge Racers on the Circle
What: Free event with food, drinks, music and autograph sessions featuring Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Jeremy Mayfield, Casey Mears, Ryan Newman, Scott Riggs, Reed Sorenson and David Stremme.
Where: Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis

5-7 p.m.
Travis Kvapil Appearance
Where: K-Mart, 6780 W. Washington St., Indianapolis

8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Crown Royal Safe Rides Home Program
Who: Jamie McMurray
What: As part of the designated driver initiative, McMurray will team with his sponsor to deploy a fleet of replica purple and gold No. 26 cars that will be offering local bar patrons free, safe rides home for the night. McMurray will get behind the wheel and provide free rides home to select consumers who sign up at a special Crown Royal No. 26 taxi stand. He will provide rides home from 8-10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.
Where: Meridian Park (by Jackson Place) on Thursday, Aug. 3 and Broad Ripple (Guilford Avenue) on Friday, Aug. 4

FRIDAY, AUG. 4

9 a.m.-noon
Chevy Day at the Brickyard – Q&A Sessions
What: NASCAR personalities will participate in a question-and-answer session with fans
Where: American Revolution Stage, East Parking Lot, Hall of Fame Museum
Who: Joe Nemechek, Sterling Marlin, 9 a.m.; Jimmie Johnson, 9:45 a.m.; Richard Childress, Jeff Burton, 10 a.m.; Martin Truex Jr., 10:15 a.m.; J.J. Yeley, 10:30 a.m., Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, 10:45 a.m.; Brian Vickers, 11:20 a.m.; Kyle Busch, 11:45 a.m. (10 minute sessions)

9 a.m.-noon
Chevy Day at the Brickyard – RC Driver Races
What: NASCAR personalities will race remote-control cars
Who: Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, 9 a.m., Joe Nemechek, Sterling Marlin, 9:15 a.m., Richard Childress, Jeff Burton, 9:45 a.m., Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., 10 a.m.; J.J. Yeley, Jimmie Johnson, 10:45 a.m., Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, 11:45 a.m. (10 minute sessions)
Where: Flag Lot, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

9-11 a.m.
Chevy Day at the Brickyard – Autograph Sessions
Who: Richard Childress, Jeff Burton, J.J. Yeley, 9 a.m.; Jimmie Johnson, Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, 10 a.m.; Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, 11 a.m.
Where: Pagoda Plaza outside Chevy Pace Car headquarters

11:20 a.m.
Unveil the #25 OAR/GMAC Chevy with Brian Vickers
Where: American Revolution Stage, East Parking Lot, Hall of Fame Museum

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
NASCAR Pets Calendar Autograph Session
Who: Greg Biffle, Kenny Wallace
Where: Pagoda Plaza
Why: Proceeds from calendar benefit the Greg Biffle Foundation, Humane Society for Hamilton County and Indy Pit Crew.

6:30-7:30 p.m.
Carl Edwards Appearance
Where: Office Depot, 4200 S. East St., B-1, Indianapolis
What: Edwards and Office Depot are donating more than 300,000 backpacks containing basic school supplies to underprivileged and “at-risk” children during the back-to school season. In the Indianapolis area, Edwards is assisting Office Depot in donating 2,500 backpacks to local organizations. Autograph session for fans will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m.