Alabama Gang honored at charity ball in Charlotte

By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
May 26, 2001
12:06 PM EDT (1606 GMT)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Each year the Speedway Children's Charity Ball pays homage to a different part of NASCAR's heritage. This year, the annual black-tie affair honored the legendary "Alabama Gang" from Hueytown, Ala.

Judy and Bobby Allison

The group consists of brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison, and Red Farmer, as well as Bobby's late son Davey and the late Neil Bonnett. They were all paid tribute for their contributions to racing on and off the track.

The 21st annual gala was held Friday night at the Adam's Mark Hotel in downtown Charlotte. Taking place at the center of the universe of stock car racing, the event always draws drivers, crew chiefs and owners from the community.

Speedway Children's Charities is headed up by Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman, Bruton O. Smith. Through donations, sponsorships and fundraising events such as the Charity Ball, the organization distributes funds to qualified non-profit organizations with a priority for improving the quality of life for children.

Sam Bass, noted motorsports artist, created a special print for the event depicting each member of the Alabama Gang on an old Western-style "wanted" poster. Each member of the Gang, or a representative, was given a framed print.

"This is a great deal, and quite and honor to be honored by this organization," said Bobby Allison. "They do great work and I'm glad our group is helping them further their cause."

To get started on the fundraising, a silent auction was held prior to the night's festivities. After a touching video tribute complete with clips of each gang member and great moments in their careers, the live bidding began on some special items.

Pat and Donnie Allison, Bobby and Judy Allison, Liz Allison

The very first item was donated by Hank Jones, merchandise manager for Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and now Mark Martin. He had held onto the helmet that Bobby wore when he won the Daytona 500 for the third time in 1988. What made the helmet even more special was the fact Davey finished second to his dad that day.

When the bidding started, everyone present sensed the meaning of the helmet.

Once the feverish and spirited bidding had finished, former car owner turned auctioneer Larry Hedrick sold the item for $20,000. As Bobby made his way to the floor to sign his helmet, the "lucky" winners, Jim and Margaret McDonald, came up to claim their prize.

Helping Hedrick out with the auctioning were the charity's national spokesman Ray Evernham, Busch Series driver David Green and Winston Cup regular Mike Wallace.

Major Gen. Tom Sadler, USAF (ret.) and Executive Director for the charity, expressed his gratitude for the racing fraternity's support.

"We owe so much to the people of NASCAR," he said. "If we need a helmet, driver's suit, sheet metal, an appearance -- whatever it may be, they are there for us. We could not do, or accomplish, what we do if it weren't for the support of racing."

Sadler said the ball annually raises approximately $250,000 for the charity organization.

To help kick things off earlier in the day, the Mr. & Mrs. William Bennett, owner of Sahara Resorts in Las Vegas, Nev., donated a record $1 million to the charity.

Speedway Children's Charity has offices at all Speedway Motorsports Inc. tracks: Bristol, Las Vegas, Sears Point, Lowe's, Atlanta and Texas Motor Speedways.