In the pits- MB2

NASCAR legends Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin go head-to-head for charity

With more than 54 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup wins between them, including four Daytona 500 victories, Sterling Marlin and Bill Elliott are considered two of the greatest superspeedway drivers of all time.

The two NASCAR icons lent their considerable experience to 12 charitable organizations on June 6 in Orlando in an event called the “Race For Life.” In the three-heat race, the organizations vied for the opportunity to have their logo seen by millions of spectators on the deck lid of Marlin’s No. 14 Ginn Clubs & Resorts Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway’s Pepsi 400.

The cheers of excitement were louder than the engines when in the grand finale, the speedway legends took to the track, paired with children representing the two charity finalists. “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” and his teammate, six year-old Zachary Storey, representing Easter Seals, took on Sterling Marlin and 11 year-old Alec Hyre, on behalf of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida.

“You look around and realize how blessed you are at home,” offered Marlin. “You want to do more, and it seems you get tugged to do something else. It’s good to come down and hang out with all these people trying to do something positive.”

Elliott and Storey took the win by inches in the nail-biting final heat. Storey was greeted after his victory in true NASCAR style by fans snapping photos and slapping high-fives.

“To give so much money away and bring people and kids together to have fun and raise money is great,” said Elliott. “Kids are where it’s at. Sometimes we get caught up in our own world and we don’t do enough for them.”

In addition to receiving the logo placement, Easter Seals, which provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities have equal opportunity to live, learn, work and play, received $10,000 and six tickets to the Ginn Clubs & Resorts race suite, including pit passes and an opportunity to meet Sterling Marlin on race day at the Pepsi 400.

“The kids won today and that’s what is important,” said Marlin.

Other participating charities included Give Kids the World, March of Dimes, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, B.A.S.E. Camp Kids Cancer Foundation, Sunshine Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida, Great Oaks Village, and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida. The 11 runner-ups each received a $2,500 donation.

Photo caption: Bill Elliott (l) and passenger Zachary Storey edged out Sterling Marlin and Alec Hyre in the “Race for Life.” Storey represented the Easter Seals and Hyre participated on behalf of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida.