LAS VEGAS – Race fans attending the July Blast-off Tuesday night at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway opened their wallets to injured Indy Racing League driver Davey Hamilton.
While donations still are being accepted, race fans have contributed $1,520.05. That amount, plus any more money that comes in this week, will be sent to Hamilton to help offset medical expenses. Hamilton, who has lived in Las Vegas for the past five years, severely injured both feet in a crash last month at Texas Motor Speedway.
“This is a testament to the great race fans we have here in Las Vegas,” said Chris Powell, LVMS executive vice president and general manager. “Davey has been a very important part of the racing community here. I think I speak for everyone who knows Davey, and a lot who don’t know him, that we want him to have a speedy recovery and get back soon.”
Seven late-model drivers in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series made their way through the grandstands prior to Tuesday night’s main event to take up the collection. Eventual race winner Jason Allen, Chuck Trickle, Chris Clyne, Steve Anderson, George Antill, Steve Rzesnowiecky and Rick Rochelle were the drivers who participated.
“Davey is one of my best friends,” Clyne said. “Anything that we can do to help will hopefully make things a little better for Davey and his family.”
