Mr. Aruba's Bench Nationals raises $4,000 for JEGS Foundation

DELAWARE, March 8, 2010: The recently contested Mr. Aruba's Bench Nationals and Charity Challenge raised $4,000 for the JEGS Foundation's Racing For Cancer Research on a chilly day in late January. However, the weather did little to cool the generosity of the participants, who gave early and often at the event.

The annual event was once again organized and promoted by Mike DeChicco and Jane Graebner, aka Mr. and Mrs. Aruba.

"This is such an awesome gesture on everyone's part," four-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. said. "Our fight against cancer continues every day and it takes special people like Mike and Jane and all of their friends to make it happen. I'm humbled by their giving spirit and generous nature.

"I also want to congratulate the winners. Nice job, everyone!"

Gambler's Race winner Larry "Big Dog" Smith and runner-up Mike "Need for Speed" Harbolt both donated their combined winnings of $808 to the cause. That prompted a spree of $100 donations from Dean Bressler of D&D Automotive of Marysville, Ohio, Dennis and Durina McCarty, Doug Duell, and Steve Kuklica.

Smith also won the Bailout Eliminator, beating Justin Andrews in the final. Later, Smith and his wife Kay took home the 50/50 raffle, which stirred action to officially change Smith's nickname from "Big Dog" to "Lucky Dog."