GWYNN'S SPECIAL CHARITY GIFT
Wed, 2009-01-14 12:29
Nearly 20 years ago, Darrell Gwynn was the hottest racer on the National Hot Rod Association circuit. Known as “The Kid,” 
the 28-year-old had raced to 28 national victories.
But in a London exhibition race, Gwynn’s dragster hit a wall in a horrific Easter Sunday crash. He lost his left arm, was left paralyzed from the waist down, and never raced again.
Soon after, Gwynn turned his disability into another pursuit --- raising money for children and young adults suffering from spinal cord injuries and debilitating disease. Gwynn began donating custom wheelchairs, providing long-term healthcare services for new spinal cord injury patients, and decorating pediatric hospital units.
Nearly 20 years ago, Darrell Gwynn was the hottest racer on the National Hot Rod Association circuit. Known as “The Kid,”the 28-year-old had raced to 28 national victories.
But in a London exhibition race, Gwynn’s dragster hit a wall in a horrific Easter Sunday crash. He lost his left arm, was left paralyzed from the waist down, and never raced again.
Soon after, Gwynn turned his disability into another pursuit --- raising money for children and young adults suffering from spinal cord injuries and debilitating disease. Gwynn began donating custom wheelchairs, providing long-term healthcare services for new spinal cord injury patients, and decorating pediatric hospital units.
This weekend, Gwynn’s charity efforts will reach a high point when some of NASCAR’s most iconic drivers – the “King” Richard Petty and Tony Stewart – align with him to auction off for his charity two unique cars at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, Petty will drive a replica of his famed Superbird onto the stage to spark bidding for the meticulously restored version of his 1970s racing circuit championship car. Then, on Sunday, Jan. 18, one of Stewart’s two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion winning race cars will be sold.
“This shows just how far we’ve come,” Gwynn said.
The new Superbird, painted in the famous “Petty Blue” scheme over black, was donated by former pro wrestler Bill Goldberg and built by YearOne of Braselton, Ga.
Stewart drove his #20 Home Depot 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo to three victories in 2006 and several Top 10 finishes in 2007. The same car was auctioned off in 2008 and given back to Gwynn’s foundation.
“The more we get for these cars, the more wheelchairs we’ll be able to donate and help those in desperate need,” Gwynn said.
the 28-year-old had raced to 28 national victories.But in a London exhibition race, Gwynn’s dragster hit a wall in a horrific Easter Sunday crash. He lost his left arm, was left paralyzed from the waist down, and never raced again.
Soon after, Gwynn turned his disability into another pursuit --- raising money for children and young adults suffering from spinal cord injuries and debilitating disease. Gwynn began donating custom wheelchairs, providing long-term healthcare services for new spinal cord injury patients, and decorating pediatric hospital units.
Nearly 20 years ago, Darrell Gwynn was the hottest racer on the National Hot Rod Association circuit. Known as “The Kid,”
the 28-year-old had raced to 28 national victories.But in a London exhibition race, Gwynn’s dragster hit a wall in a horrific Easter Sunday crash. He lost his left arm, was left paralyzed from the waist down, and never raced again.
Soon after, Gwynn turned his disability into another pursuit --- raising money for children and young adults suffering from spinal cord injuries and debilitating disease. Gwynn began donating custom wheelchairs, providing long-term healthcare services for new spinal cord injury patients, and decorating pediatric hospital units.
This weekend, Gwynn’s charity efforts will reach a high point when some of NASCAR’s most iconic drivers – the “King” Richard Petty and Tony Stewart – align with him to auction off for his charity two unique cars at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, Petty will drive a replica of his famed Superbird onto the stage to spark bidding for the meticulously restored version of his 1970s racing circuit championship car. Then, on Sunday, Jan. 18, one of Stewart’s two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion winning race cars will be sold.
“This shows just how far we’ve come,” Gwynn said.
The new Superbird, painted in the famous “Petty Blue” scheme over black, was donated by former pro wrestler Bill Goldberg and built by YearOne of Braselton, Ga.
Stewart drove his #20 Home Depot 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo to three victories in 2006 and several Top 10 finishes in 2007. The same car was auctioned off in 2008 and given back to Gwynn’s foundation.
“The more we get for these cars, the more wheelchairs we’ll be able to donate and help those in desperate need,” Gwynn said.
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