IRL: Roberto Guerrero Hosts Brain Injury Benefit

28 May 1998

1998 BRAIN INJURY BENEFIT A SUCCESS;
INDY LEGEND JOHNNY RUTHERFORD WILL HOST IN 1999

Roberto Guerrero

INDIANAPOLIS (May 28, 1998) -- The Brain Injury Association of Indiana has announced that its May 16 fundraising dinner was a success, and that three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will host the event in 1999. The BIAI dinner, which has featured an auto racing theme since it began in May of 1997, netted approximately $26,000 this year, bringing the two-year total to over $56,000, which further enhances the BIAI's many prevention and support programs throughout Indiana. This year's event, attended by nearly 200 supporters, was hosted by Pep Boys Indy Racing League driver Roberto Guerrero, and was held in conjunction with the USAC Silver Crown "Coca-Cola 100" at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

"Our partnership with the motorsports community has not only created one of our most successful events of the year, but one of the most enjoyable," says Penny Lewis, President and CEO of the BIAI. "We extend our gratitude to Roberto and everyone involved for making this year's event such a success. We are also thrilled that Johnny Rutherford, who has supported this event from the beginning, will be our celebrity host next year."

Johnny Rutherford, who now directs special projects for the Pep Boys Indy Racing League, has extensive experience and success in racing. Among his many accomplishments were his Indianapolis 500 victories in 1974, 1976 and 1980. He will become the third host for this BIAI event, which was also hosted by Indy winner Parnelli Jones in 1997.

No date has yet been established for the 1999 fundraising dinner titled, "On the Right Track. . .the Race to Prevent Brain Injury."

A limited number of commemorative prints remain on sale from this year's event. Each print is signed and numbered by Guerrero and artist Ron Burton. Anyone interested should contact the BIAI at (317) 356-7722.