LONG BEACH, Calif. – Brett Davern, who stars as Jake Rosati on the MTV series "Awkward" and started from the pole, won the 38th Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.
Also among the competitors was Dr. William Pinsky, co-founder of Racing For Kids. The organization, which is celebrating its 25th year, has been a beneficiary of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pro/Celebrity Race since 1991. More than $2 million has been donated by Toyota to Memorial Miller Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County in the name of Racing For Kids.
Again this year, Toyota will donate $5,000 in the name of each driver to the charity.
“I had no idea what it meant to be on the ‘inside’ as an actual driver in the Pro/Celebrity Race,” Pinsky said. “The camaraderie among the drivers – and the competition - is amazing."
Pinsky previously competed in the 1998 and 1999 Detroit Grand Prix Dodge Neon Challenge and the 1988-1989 Skip Barber West Coast and East Coast Series. He is executive vice president and chief academic officer at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans. Racing For Kids uses the popularity of motorsports to raise awareness of children's health issues and raise funds for children's hospitals. Learn more about Racing For Kids HERE.
Viso working on return to series
E.J. Viso has a dual purpose this weekend – being competitive in his first Stadium Super Trucks race on the street circuit and working on a return to Verizon IndyCar Series competition.
“I’ve never driven anything in the air except for the curbs in Baltimore,” Viso said of the series owned by former Indy car driver Robby Gordon in which the off-road trucks navigate the tight corners and ramps. “Robby called a few days ago and invited me to the race. It’s a good program he’s put together; fans love it.”
Viso, who’s made 100 starts over six seasons in the Verizon IndyCar Series, said he’s hopeful of initially securing a ride for the 98th Indianapolis 500 on May 25.
“I’m working hard with my sponsors to come back into the series,” said Viso, who had a best finish of fourth at Milwaukee in 2013 with Andretti Autosport.
Dressing up for a good cause
What would compel Ryan Hunter-Reay to don a Michael Costello evening gown? Raising money for Racing for Cancer, of course.
Read about the Yellow Party, which brought out celebrities and entertainers to Long Beach, IN THE BLOG.
Of note
On April 14, 13 drivers will visit Honda Performance Development in Santa Clarita, Calif., to meet with the associates who design, build and maintain their Honda HI14RTT twin-turbo V6 engines. … Pork belly sliders and firecracker wings have been the best sellers this weekend at Belly Bombz, one of the eight mobile restaurants comprising Food Truck Row. The food trucks expand the dining options, such as salmon with broccoli, at the venue.