Darrell Gwynn remembers how much of a lift he got when he visited Reading in 1990.
 
It was just months after a serious crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, and Gwynn was moved by the thousands of spectators at FirstEnergy Stadium to see NHRA and NASCAR racers play a softball game for his benefit.
 
The record crowd of more than 13,000 helped raise $150,000 for Gwynn’s medical bills. It was an unforgettable night, one that’s still talked about 20 years later.
 
With that anniversary at hand, Gwynn wants to return the favor to Berks County.

Darrell Gwynn remembers how much of a lift he got when he visited Reading in 1990.
 
It was just months after a serious crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, and Gwynn was moved by the thousands of spectators at FirstEnergy Stadium to see NHRA and NASCAR racers play a softball game for his benefit.
 
The record crowd of more than 13,000 helped raise $150,000 for Gwynn’s medical bills. It was an unforgettable night, one that’s still talked about 20 years later.
 
With that anniversary at hand, Gwynn wants to return the favor to Berks County.
 
The Darrell Gwynn Foundation will donate a wheelchair to a deserving Berks resident as part of many festivities, which include a salute to Gwynn, when the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals returns to Maple Grove Raceway Oct. 7-10.
 
“Reading is a very special place to me,” Gwynn said. “The fans in Pennsylvania are some of the greatest in the world. I’m glad to be coming back and receiving this honor.”
 
The weekend will kick off with the All-Star Salute to Darrell Gwynn Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Wyomissing at 7 p.m. Several past and present NHRA stars will sign autographs and talk about the big game, which the drag racers won 21-20. There will also be a memorabilia silent auction.
 
The 2010 Maple Grove Raceway Walk of Fame inductees will be attendance that evening, including Darwin Doll, Dallas Gardner, Steve Gibbs, Gwynn, Jerry Gwynn, Kenny Koretsky, and Jack Redd.
 
Several NHRA racers are expected to appear, including many contending for this year’s NHRA Full Throttle world championships: Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Larry Dixon, Cory McClenanthan, Matt Hagan, Tony Pedregon, Allen Johnson, Steve Johnson, Clay Millican, Greg Stanfield, and Bob Tasca III along with legends Joe Amato and Koretsky.
           
Additional guests will be announced when their attendance is confirmed.
 
Tickets for the event are $20, which all goes to the Gwynn Foundation. The price also includes finger foods. To purchase tickets, call Maple Grove Raceway, 610-856-9200.
 
Fans attending the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals Sunday will have the opportunity to walk the track in the morning with Gwynn, who will be driving an electric-powered dragster, before eliminations begin. The $20 donation will also go to the foundation.
 
At that time, Gwynn will present the wheelchair.
 
For more information about the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, log on to www.darrellgwynnfoundation.com.

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