CART: Paul Newman Designs 2001 CARA Charities Christmas Ornament
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 26, 2001
Indianapolis, Indiana - In his famed career, Paul Newman has acted in and directed award-winning movies, established his own charitable organization, raced and owned some of the most recognized race cars in motorsports and introduced a signature line of gourmet food products.
Now, at the age of 76 and still going strong filming his next movie and serving as a co-owner of Newman/Haas Racing, Newman is adding another achievement to his illustrious list of accomplishments: Christmas Ornament Designer.
Following in the footsteps of some his famous racing colleagues, Newman personally designed the 2001 edition of the annual CARA Charities Christmas Ornament that was unveiled today at the 20th annual CARA Indianapolis 500 Fashion Show at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis. Proceeds from the sale of the 2001 ornaments will benefit the CARA Shirley Bettenhausen Children's Fund at Methodist Hospital that has contributed over $200,000 for a specialized play area, toys for young patients and holiday parties at the hospital throughout the year. Bettenhausen founded the Children's Fund project and also introduced the Christmas Ornament tradition in 1992.
Newman's 2001 design features a cool Santa in sunglasses, traditional red suit and his familiar bag of gifts. His sleigh is an Indy car that looks fast despite four flat tires.
"I'm glad Santa doesn't drive for Penske," said Newman who, in this case, edged the 10-time Indianapolis 500 winning team owner Roger Penske and all others as the first car owner to design a Christmas ornament for CARA Charities. Newman serves on the CARA Charities Advisory Board and is a long time supporter of the organization.
Newman, who co-owns the championship-winning CART team Newman/Haas Racing with Carl Haas, is the 10th motorsports personality to be involved in the program. Other motorsports notables who have designed ornaments include drivers Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, A.J. Foyt, Arie Luyendyk, Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal, Johnny Rutherford and Al Unser Jr.
Ornaments are available for a $20.00 donation through the CARA Charities office at (317) 299-2277. Or you can visit the CARA Charities website at www.caraux.org for more information.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, CARA Charities was founded in 1981 to serve the community through charitable work and promote the friendship of all those involved in the motorsports family. Over $3.25 million dollars have been distributed to numerous racing and community organizations, including the nationally recognized and award-winning "Buckle Up Baby" program that is a partnership between CARA Charities and the Bridgestone/Firestone Trust. In addition to the CARA Shirley Bettenhausen Children's Fund, other recipient charities include CART Ministries, San Bernardino Children's Fund, CARA Benevolent Fund, Inc., Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Foote Memorial Hospital, International Vehicular Injury Research Center, California Highway Patrol "Kids" Program, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Championship Drivers Association Benevolent Fund, Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer and Valley View Medical Center.
Text provided by Adam Saal
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery .