Race charity Hamlin ready to grow some more

RICHMOND, Virginia — Denny Hamlin is excited with his annual charity race becoming bigger than ever this year, even though he doesn't like the reason why he had to find a new venue for it.The NASCAR Sprint Cup star will host its short track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway for the first time Thursday night, moving Southside Speedway after three years because the track in suburban Richmond, where he cut his teeth in late model racing shut down. "Obviously the roots of short track Showdown are Southside Speedway and always will be, but we overcame it, "he said after he tested late model Stock cars in LAUGH last week.Several thousand fans filled the small strip in 2010, in the case of a modestly priced ticket allowed them to see Hamlin and fellow NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and other drivers of late model locations in a 250-lap event that raised over $ 100000 batalhaHamlin said.The money raised goes to Denny Hamlin Foundation which supports children's Hospital in Richmond, St. Jude children's Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other charities.In addition to handling local track to a more 100000 places, Hamlin race will also be broadcast on speed on Thursday night, expanding its potential reach exponentially.Hamlin, which is the best news because "foundations and charities that we don't always get a whole lot of recognition, except for the big events we put on," he said, noting that Jeff Gordon has a bowling tournament and several riders host golf tournaments.Doug Fritz, President of laugh, said it took only a few weeks after the founding of Hamlin asked to hold the event on the track to rework schedules and make it happen. 75-lap race will be run after a NASCAR K & N Pro Series East which had already been programmed. "."Is an exciting day for us, Fritz said, noting it will be the first time that the track hosts a weekend of race in three days, once the series of truck stopped coming several years ago.We feel that we can make it work here. We feel that we can grow it here, "said Fritz. "If Denny to keep it here, the opportunity for growth is tremendous from a perspective of the bleachers".Hamlin considers raising money by racing late models in a "win-win."Is what I grew up wanting to do. I always said if I was just a great late model stock car racer, I would be happy. If I was just a local short track hero, I was going to be happy, "he said.Obviously, now I'm waiting for much bigger things, "he added.These bigger things include a larger harvest race Thursday night.Goers Cup Sprint planning to run in the race for this year include Stewart Hamlin, which hosts — and usually wins — his own race Eldora Speedway, the track of land that he owns in Ohio; Busch. Joey Logano; Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne and racer-turned-broadcaster Hermie Sadler Sadler, who along with brother Elliott runs a foundation dedicated to raising funds for research into autism, promote awareness of the disease and supporting initiatives that will lead to better educational opportunities for children with autismoespera can help. "We don't have much time to do everything that we do, but when you can take a little of your time and help a fellow competitor, but more importantly, help draw attention to its foundation or charity of escolhafaz you feel good, "he said after the test.Is this kind of spirit among the drivers who made Fritz eager for this to happen in LAUGH. "They are strongly committed to the communities, especially those grew in and very loyal and they have big heart, "he said. "They get pulled in many ways in the race week and off days and weekends, and it's amazing that they still do. Is phenomenal. "For Hamlin, a thing that could help make it a perfect evening: finally win the race. He dominated most of the way in the past year, but faltered in the final laps and finished fourth.The desire to win kept laughing most of last Wednesday, doing laps. "I look forward," he said "and can't wait to see what happens..