CART: Dario Franchitti And Ashley Judd Runway Madness Honorary Chairs

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 8, 2001

Couple To Preside Over Season-Ending CARA Charities CART Celebration, Nov. 2

September 7, 2001- Indianapolis, Indiana - FedEx Championship Series star driver Dario Franchitti and his fiancée Ashley Judd will be the Honorary Co-Chairpersons of Runway Madness IV, the CARA Charities CART community "super party" and that will be presented in conjunction with the season-ending Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota at California Speedway, Friday, Nov. 2.

Since its debut in 1998, Runway Madness has been the primary CART-related fundraiser for CARA Charities that will conclude its 20th anniversary year of celebration with the 2001 edition of the entertainment extravaganza that will follow an international theme of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World." Since its introduction in 1981, CARA Charities has donated more than $3.25 million to dozens of charitable organizations and worthwhile causes.

Franchitti, who is contending for the 2001 FedEx Championship Series title in the No. 27 KOOL Honda Reynard, and Judd follow other notable members of the CART motorsports community in serving as Runway Madness Co-Chairpersons. Jolene and Bruce McCaw (2000), Leslie and Michael Andretti and Evi and Dan Gurney (1999) and Shelley and Al Unser Jr. (1998) have been previous Runway Madness Co-Chairpersons.

Runway Madness features fine food and refreshments and a full line-up of planned and impromptu entertainment featuring FedEx Championship Series drivers, other members of the CART community and celebrities from Hollywood and the music industries. Runway Madness also includes silent and live auctions showcasing priceless motorsports-related experiences and memorabilia and a variety of travel packages and luxury items.

Among the changes in store for Runway Madness IV is the all-new venue - the Ontario Convention Center (OCC) - located just one mile from the former Ontario Airport hangar that hosted the first three editions of the CARA Charities event. Less than four years old, the OCC offers a state-of-the-art venue complete with professional audio support and first-class hospitality service.

A limited number of Runway Madness tickets are available for a donation of $150 with full tables of 10 and various levels of sponsorship support also available. Tickets may be purchased through the CARA Charities office at (317) 299-2277, by fax at (317) 293-8932 or placed via email at carachar@aol.com. Please indicate in the subject "Runway Madness Ticket Order" for all email purchases.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, CARA Charities was founded in 1981 to serve the open-wheel motorsports community through charitable work and promote the friendship of all those involved in the motorsports family. Over $3.25 million dollars has 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 racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.