Modified Bobsleds to be Used by Top Race Car Drivers Painted by PPG

PPG Automotive Refinish donated the paint, materials, and talent to create the spectacular designs on these Bo-Dyn Olympic-style bobsleds for a fund-raiser for the manufacturing of Olympic bobsleds. The designs were created by PPG customer Justin Barnes of J.B. Custom Painting, Inc. of Newburgh, N.Y., and the paint was applied by PPG Territory Manager Dennis Beardsley and a group of vo-tech students at the Hudson Valley Community College Automotive Technical Center. Photo courtesy of PPG

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – The 2nd Annual Chevrolet Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering, is hosting a Benefit Dinner and Auction on January 5, 2007 at Nicola’s on Main starting at 7 pm.

The evening features a cocktail hour, a meet-and-greet with the drivers participating in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, dinner, and a chance to bid on fabulous items including NASCAR ticket packages, Bodine Bobsled Challenge apparel, NASCAR souvenirs and much more. The auction will be hosted by Ray Dunlap, a fixture on the stockcar circuit as a TV broadcast announcer.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., which creates, develops and supplies the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Bobsled teams with Made in America sleds.

A limited number of tickets for the evening are available for $150 per person and may be purchased from Nicola’s on Main (www.NicolasAndGrill211.com) in person or by calling (518) 523-5853.

Drivers competing in this year’s Chevrolet Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering, include founder Geoff Bodine and his brothers Brett and Todd, this year’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion; 2006 Bodine Bobsled Challenge winners and NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers Boris Said and Kevin Lepage; current NASCAR Nextel Cup driver and two-time NASCAR Busch Series Champion Randy Lajoie; NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series driver Steve Park; “America’s Winningest Driver” and NASCAR legend Dick Trickle; former NASCAR driver and current SPEED Channel commentator Phil Parsons; nine-time NASCAR Champion, with seven Whelen Modified Tour Championships and two Grand National Championships, Mike Stefanik; former Red Sox left fielder and current Craftsman Truck Series driver Mike Greenwell; 2002 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year Brendan Gaughan; 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Champion Philip Morris; NHRA Top Fuel driver and 2003 Top Alcohol Mac Tools U.S. Nationals winner Morgan Lucas; and NHRA Top Fuel Rookie of the Year J.R. Todd.

This year’s Chevrolet Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering, features modified bobsleds that have been painted with PPG Vibrance Colors by students from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. The students were supervised by PPG Territory Manager Dennis Beardsley and noted motorcycle graphic artist and PPG customer Justin Barnes of JB Grafix Custom Painting, Inc. of Newburgh, N.Y. Barnes designed the color schemes and applied the flames and pinstriping while Beardsley and the students painted, sanded and cleared the sleds.

For more information on the 2nd Annual Chevrolet Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering, January 4-6, 2007, please log on to www.bodinebobsled.com.

What Daytona is to auto racing, Lake Placid is to bobsledding.