The Verizon IndyCar Series championship has concluded, but many of INDYCAR’s biggest stars have one more race on the schedule this season. The Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge returns Sept. 20 to New Castle (Ind.) Motorsports Park, where participants will race to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge is comprised of corporate-sponsored teams consisting of one professional driver and three amateur drivers for the two-hour race beginning at 12:30 p.m. (ET). Admission is free and all professional drivers will participate in a public autograph session at 11:45 a.m.
The event will feature Indianapolis 500 winners and Verizon IndyCar Series champions Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan in addition to Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Briscoe, Josef Newgarden, Ed Carpenter, Sebastian Saavedra and others.
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"I'm proud to be a part of the second annual Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge,” said Dixon, a teammate of Wheldon at Target Chip Ganassi Racing. “Last year's race was a huge success and it was great to see so much support towards Dan's lasting legacy. This year will be bigger and better as we continue to support the Alzheimer's Association that Dan was very passionate about. I hope everyone can come out and be a part of a great day.”
The inaugural event last year raised more than $100,000 and was the catalyst to establishing The Sue Wheldon Fund, which funds Alzheimer’s programs in Indiana and Florida.
Wheldon’s widow, Susie, created The Dan Wheldon Foundation following last year’s event as a way to continue his work of giving back and supporting the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Dan was so giving of his time and resources,” said Susie Wheldon. “I was completely blown away by the response last year and how much money we were able to raise and ultimately to be able to start a fund in Sue’s name. Dan will always be remembered as someone who had an immense passion for life and I want to carry on his legacy in the same way. I feel blessed to be able to give back.”
Wheldon’s 5-year-old son Sebastian, who started racing karts in April, will lead the field in a pace lap. Each winning team member will receive a timepiece from Ritmo Mundo and a room package compliments of the Conrad Indianapolis.
Drivers also to compete for Dan Wheldon Cup
Verizon IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy drivers also will compete for the Dan Wheldon Cup in the 11th Newgy Robo-Pong 200 endurance karting race Sept. 21 at New Castle Motorsports Park.
Former winners Carpenter and Newgarden are entered in addition to Pro Mazda champion Spencer Pigot, who will co-drive with Pro Mazda third-place finisher Neil Alberico.
The event, like the Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge, is free and open to the public. The 200-lap race on the one-mile track begins at 1 p.m. (ET). Wheldon co-drove to the victory in the inaugural event.