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CART FedEx Championship Series happenings

10 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Notes and Quotes from Championship Auto Racing Teams

The PacWest Racing Group and driver Mark Blundell (Motorola PacWest Mercedes) have been chosen to participate in a nationwide television campaign promoting this year's Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, the annual fundraiser which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The 21-hour telethon is scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-4, and is expected to reach an audience of some 75 million viewers on 200 affiliate stations across the United States and Canada.

Blundell recently completed the taping of several MDA public service announcements at Firebird International Raceway outside Phoenix. He was joined in the taping by 9-year-old twin brothers Chris and Marc Schwab of Prescott, Ariz., both of whom are afflicted with Duchesne Muscular Dystrophy.

The announcements will feature footage of Blundell's Champ Car as well as that of the Nextel PacWest Mercedes driven by PacWest teammate Mauricio Gugelmin.

In addition to the public service announcements, Blundell also taped a 30-second spot that will appear continually throughout the telethon to inform viewers of credit card and secured online contribution options. He also recorded individual sound bites for the 200 affiliates that will air the telethon.

"There is no doubt that MDA is a worthwhile and active organization with which all our team members are pleased to be associated," said PacWest Racing Group owner Bruce McCaw. "MDA is racing to find a cure for muscle-wasting diseases and we are doing whatever we can to help 'Jerry's Kids.' "

Championship Auto Racing Teams Chairman and CEO Andrew Craig praised PacWest for its involvement in the MDA project. "It comes as no surprise that the PacWest Racing Group is playing such a significant role in the 2000 MDA program," he said. "The CART community is proud to generously support many causes and we commend Bruce McCaw, Mark Blundell and Mauricio Gugelmin for their involvement with the MDA initiative, one that gives so much back to so many deserving individuals."

Robert Ross, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of MDA, commented, "We're delighted to count PacWest Racing Group among our sponsors. By racing for our families and featuring our logo on its cars, PacWest has created an extra reason for racing fans to cheer."

Text provided by CART

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.