ppc, Andretti, FreedomRoads Team Up in Homestead

ppc Racing, John Andretti and FreedomRoads: “Racing to Save Lives” in Ford 300

John Andretti

Mooresville, NC (November 14, 2005) – ppc Racing is pleased to pledge its support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases by entering a special St. Jude “Racing to Save Lives” car for the Ford 300 during championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The No. 10 St. Jude “Racing to Save Lives” Ford Taurus, presented by FreedomRoads, the largest RV retailer in the United States, and its affiliate Camping World, is the work of Greg Pollex, owner of ppc Racing. It will be driven by NASCAR Nextel Cup Veteran John Andretti. Andretti will make his second career Busch Series start, and tenth entry overall with ppc Racing.

“Being a father of three and having a brother and sister who both went through children’s hospitals, I know first hand the importance of the resources that children’s hospitals provide to families,” Andretti explained. “Kids are the most important thing, and I gladly jump at the chance to help raise awareness of the research and treatment that St. Jude does to help them. I am also very happy to once again be a part of ppc Racing.”

Virtually every aspect of the No. 10 St. Jude “Racing to Save Lives” Ford has been donated by ppc Racing, and its partners and sponsors in the motorsports industry. ppc Racing’s owner, Greg Pollex, and driver, John Andretti have pledged to donate their share of the winnings from the Ford 300 to St. Jude. Two additional ppc Racing entries, the No. 10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International Driven by Terry Cook in the Craftsman Truck Series and the No. 22 AutoZone Ford driven by Kenny Wallace in the Busch Series, will also display St. Jude decals on the rear quarter panel. Other pledges of support from within the motorsports industry include firesuits from Impact Racing and the car decal wrap from TheDecalSource. ppc Racing sponsors, FreedomRoads, AutoZone, and IMPLUS Footcare, among others, will make check presentations to a representative of St. Jude.

Greg Pollex hopes with so many companies pitching in to help raise awareness that others in the racing community will also get behind the cause and make donations of their own.

“I recently had the opportunity to visit St. Jude while I was in Memphis attending the AutoZone National Sales Meeting with Kenny Wallace,” Pollex said. “We were so moved by the outstanding work that St. Jude does to provide assistance and hope to these children and their families that we wanted to find a way to get involved and show our support. The best way we could think of to grab people’s attention is by running a special St. Jude “Racing to Save Lives” car at the final race of the season. We couldn’t have done this without the support of FreedomRoads, AutoZone, PowerAir Corporation, IMPLUS, Ford, Roush-Yates Engines, TheDecalSource, IMPACT, and the others who are coming on board every day. We hope that fans of NASCAR, ppc Racing, and John Andretti will feel inspired to support St. Jude.”

The daily operating costs for St. Jude are approximately $1,027,832 which is primarily covered by funds from public contributions, fund-raising events, and corporate partnerships like ppc Racing, FreedomRoads and AutoZone.

"St. Jude is excited about our partnership with ppc Racing," said Dave McKee, chief operating officer, ALSAC, the fund-raising arm of St. Jude. "We are grateful to be partnered with a great organization that truly understands our mission of finding cures and saving children. We’re also very thankful to FreedomRoads for coming on board and leading the way for sponsors making donations that continue to make our research and treatment possible."

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a close family connection with Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of FreedomRoads. Lemonis’ grandfather, Mr. Abraham, helped founder Danny Thomas get the children’s hospital up and running. Along with affiliate Camping World, FreedomRoads is looking forward to continuing their efforts for the children of St. Jude.

"For the last thirty-one years many of us have supported the cause of making sure that no child goes without care.” Lemonis said. “FreedomRoads and Camping World will continue to show our love and dedication to Danny’s dream for all the days to come.”

Representatives from ppc Racing, St. Jude, and FreedomRoads will be holding a press conference on Friday, November 18 in the Homestead-Miami Speedway infield media center. The No. 10 St. Jude “Racing to Save Lives” Ford will be unveiled and photo opportunities will immediately follow the announcement, featuring several check presentations by key contributors.