Community Partners
MMP Honored to Partner with St. Jude
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, founded in 1962 by the late
entertainer Danny Thomas, is the world’s leading research and treatment
center for childhood cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.
On average, 4,000 children are in active status at St. Jude at any
given time, each admitted to one of the hospital’s research protocols
or scientific treatment plans.
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Friday mornings before the Sam’s Town 250 are traditionally devoted to a drivers visit to the hospital before the teams take to the track. Above, participants in 2004 included (front) Mike Wallace, Tim Fedewa, (back) Jason Keller, Dave Blaney, David Stremme and Kyle Busch.
And those hanging with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the kids in 2005 included (from left) Kevin Hamlin, Reed Sorenson, Kim Crosby, A.J. Foyt IV and David Stremme.
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On August 28, 2002, Memphis Motorsports Park and officials from
Sam’s Town-Tunica announced that St. Jude would become the charitable
partner and beneficiary of the NASCAR Busch Series Sam’s Town 250.
Again this year, the race will honor that commitment to the hospital.
One of a only a few NASCAR races to directly benefit a national
charity, the Sam’s Town 250 provides proceeds from ticket sales
and other ancillary activities, most notably the annual NASCAR Fanfest
at Sam’s Town-Tunica where drivers and teams donate their time and
items for a free autograph session and auction on Thursday night
before the race.
“The Sam’s Town 250 has quickly become one of the top sporting events
in the Mid-South, and to be able to partner with an organization
like St. Jude is just another step forward,” said Jason Rittenberry,
Vice President and General Manager of Memphis Motorsports Park.
“What a great feeling it is knowing that all the hard work and long
hours that go into an event of this magnitude also make a difference
in the lives of the children and families at St. Jude.”
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized
for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with
cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Based in Memphis, St. Jude
freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities
around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered
by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to
pay.
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| A lucky bunch of St. Jude patients poses with “their” drivers on pit road before meeting and competing in a remote-control car race with (from left) Clint Bowyer, Paul Menard, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr., Johnny Sauter and Tim Sauter. This first-time gathering was organized by Cortney Owen and is also an annual event during race week.
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“Our charitable association with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
is another step in making each Sam’s Town 250 racing weekend more
memorable than the last,” said Dan Stark, Director of Marketing
for Boyd Gaming Corporation, the parent company of Sam’s Town Tunica.
“The incredible work being done by St. Jude deserves acknowledgment
and reward, and we are extremely proud to be included in the group
of major activities and events in the Memphis area that can help
contribute to the hospital’s success.”
Visit us at www.stjude.org
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