Inside Line Promotions – TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 9, 2017) – This year’s finale of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire falls on a challenging day for the racing community.
The marquee midget event, which is held this Tuesday through Saturday inside the River Spirit Expo Center, wraps up its 31st edition on the five-year anniversary of the passing of local favorite Donnie Ray Crawford.
In remembering him, the Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation has produced a unique commemorative t-shirt as well as hoodies that will be for sale at its booth this week and online at http://www.DonnieRayCrawford.com. Sizes range from child small to adult XXXXL. All proceeds will go toward the non-profit foundation and its efforts to help provide financial assistance to young adults who, like Crawford, have a passion for racing and a love of education as well as racer’s relief and faith missions.
The Foundation will also sponsor the Chili Bowl Hard Charger Award for the second straight year.
Additionally, the Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation wants to remember and pay respect to Chili Bowl co-founder Lanny Edwards, who passed away in 2016.
Crawford and the Chili Bowl are bonded together. Crawford, who was an Oklahoma native, won a Chili Bowl preliminary night in 2011 almost exactly one year to the day before he passed away. When news circulated in 2012 about his passing the Chili Bowl changed the A Main from 50 to 55 laps in honor of Crawford, whose car number was No. 55.
The Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation has given out approximately 20 scholarships totaling more than $30,000 since its inception approximately five years ago.
In addition to assisting financial needs for individuals pursuing a post-secondary education, the Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation is committed to racer’s relief and faith missions. The Foundation has given money to Kevin Swindell and the USAC benevolent fund in honor of Bryan Clauson, it has funded one mission trip and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Little Light House.
For media members wanting to set up an interview with one of the Crawford’s or a Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation board member, please contact Megan Eubanks at 918-697-2081.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.DonnieRayCrawford.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRCLegacyFoundation
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DRCFoundation
DONNIE RAY CRAWFORD LEGACY FOUNDATION –
The Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation was established in memory of Donnie Ray Crawford, who passed away in January 2012. The non-profit foundation helps provide financial assistance to young adults who, like Donnie Ray, have a passion for racing and a love of education. Donnie Ray put his all into racing, but knew that it may or may not be his career. He came to the realization that his future should be dependent on education rather than racing. Donnie Ray was currently enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to finish the dream of earning his degree in Petroleum Engineering.
The Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation has given out approximately 20 scholarships totaling more than $30,000 since its inception approximately five years ago.
In addition to assisting financial needs for individuals pursuing a post-secondary education, the Donnie Ray Crawford Legacy Foundation is committed to racer’s relief and faith missions. The Foundation has given money to Kevin Swindell and the USAC benevolent fund in honor of Bryan Clauson, it has funded one mission trip and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Little Light House.
ABOUT DONNIE RAY CRAWFORD –
Donnie Ray Crawford was introduced to the sport of racing at a very young age. He was a mere 2-days-old when he attended his first sprint car race in which his father, multi-champion Donnie Crawford, was racing.
Donnie Ray began his racing career at 10-years-old when he competed in mini sprints. Along the way, he participated in a variety of sprint car, midget and mini-sprint competitions. He won numerous point championships and prestigious events such as the Tulsa Shootout, Pete Frazier Memorial, Al Lemmon’s Memorial, Oklahoma Nationals. Other accomplishments include ASCS2 wins, SMRS wins with an overall second-place point finish two years in a row, and Rookie of the Year titles, including Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year in 2007 by finishing fifth-place overall. Another accomplishment he was very proud of was his qualifier night victory in the 2011 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals – almost exactly one year before he passed away at only 24-years-old.
Donnie Ray became a true hero in 2008 when he saved the life of then 12-year-old Harli White by pulling her out of a burning race car. This act of heroism was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network as well as ESPN.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Jan 09, 2017
- Article Date: 1/9/2017 by Inside Line Promotions