Before Indianapolis-based Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) takes to the track for the 64th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals this weekend, the winningest team in NHRA history will have already achieved a major victory – raising funds for Indy’s own Riley Hospital for Children.
On Friday, August 31, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT, DSR will pull back the curtain and open the doors to its 145,000-square foot state-of-the-art racing facility for the 13th annual DSR Open House presented by Pennzoil. The annual Open House event, along with the yearly ‘This is How We Roll’ bowling function, taking place on December 5, 2018, are the team’s two major fundraisers for Riley Hospital. Since the partnership began in 2006, the largest team in drag racing has successfully raised more than half a million dollars for Riley.
Prior to heading to Lucas Oil Raceway for day one of nitro qualifying at the U.S. Nationals, fans are encouraged to stop by the Open House presented by Pennzoil and meet the entire roster of DSR drivers, including Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Leah Pritchett, Tony Schumacher and Tommy Johnson Jr., who will pilot the Riley nitro Funny Car during the weekend’s race. Since 2014, Johnson’s Doug and Terry Chandler-funded entry has donned a Riley Kids livery at the team’s hometown event, providing national exposure for the local nonprofit organization on drag racing’s largest stage.
In addition to meet-and-greets with DSR’s star-studded lineup of drivers, fans will also have the opportunity to interact with International Motorsports Hall-of-Fame team owner, Don Schumacher, at the Open House. There will be more than 200 custom muscle cars and motorcycles on display, and attendees will be treated to a ‘cacklefest’ when nitro-burning vintage dragsters fire-up simultaneously. Food trucks and Papa John’s Pizza will be available for hungry patrons, and guests will have the opportunity to bid on rare and one-of-a-kind items in the silent auction benefitting Riley. Included in the items up for bid are a Matco Tools toolbox signed by NHRA patriarchs and racing legends, Don Schumacher and John Force.
On Wednesday afternoon, Johnson, a resident of Avon, Ind. will join his fellow Indy-area based teammates, Brown and Pritchett, along with Hagan, at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health where they will meet with the facility’s young patrons.
To support the DSR/Riley Children’s Foundation partnership, please visit donate.rileykids.org/dsr18 or dsr2018.givesmart.com to bid on Open House auction items.
DSR PR
