The upcoming 61st annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is a much-anticipated highlight on the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour. The event at venerable Lucas Oil Raceway is the most prestigious race on the tour, and Jackson Lombardo Racing is determined to make it a race to remember – but not just for driver John Lombardo Jr. and the NAPA Batteries/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car Team. This time around, they are sharing the experience with a very special group of young burn survivors from Hoosier Burn Camp of Indiana.
Hoosier Burn Camp is a nonprofit organization committed to providing life-changing experiences for young people who have suffered the physical and emotional trauma associated with a severe burn injury. Their annual summer camp and monthly events create experiences for burn survivors where they can be “just one of the kids” in a safe and supportive environment.
On Saturday, September 5, 2015, Hoosier Burn Camp kids will kick off an action-packed day at the greatest NHRA drag race of all in the pit area of Lombardo Jr. The kids will experience the 260+ mph NAPA Batteries/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Funny Car up close as the team prepares for the day of competition.
Lombardo Jr., along with JEGS Pro Mod competitor Troy Coughlin Jr., Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car driver John Hale, and Ray Skillman Auto Sales Pro Stock racer Drew Skillman will be among the drivers on hand to spend time with the children answering questions and signing autographs. The Day at the Races for these young heroes doesn’t end there – Nitro Fuel, the mascot of the Indy Fuel hockey team, will make a special appearance, and each child will receive a special gift bag put together through the generous contributions of NHRA, JEGS, Lucas Oil, Tony Stewart Racing, Comp Cams, Crower, Mahle, The Dent Specialist, and Seals Ambulance Service.
With additional support from Coca Cola, Ray Skillman Automotive Group, Texas Roadhouse, Park Tudor, Clines Hillcrest Storage, Arvada Excavating, J&E Tire Center, Subway, NAPA Auto Parts, A Westside Storage, and White Oak Construction, Jackson Lombardo Racing will also make a cash donation to Hoosier Burn Camp to be used for future events to empower these brave survivors.
“How do you make the U.S. Nationals – the largest and most prestigious NHRA drag race of the year – even more special? You share it with a group of kids that have overcome challenges most of us can’t fathom,” said Lombardo Jr., two-time Top Alcohol Funny Car division/region champion and 12-time combined event winner. “Saturday at the Big Go, we look forward to welcoming families from the Hoosier Burn Camp of Indiana and sharing our passion for drag racing with them. It means a lot to us that we will have the opportunity to spend the day with some great families, and we hope they enjoy it. We’re thankful that they have chosen to join us and can’t wait for this day.”
For more information on Hoosier Burn Camp, please visit: hoosierburncamp.org. For more information about this event, contact Jackson Lombardo Racing representative LuAnn Bishop via email: luann@lombardoracing.com.
