More than $50K Raised for Riley Hospital for Children during 2021 Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals (1 Viewer)

Don Schumacher Racing Has Raised nearly $790K for Riley Kids since 2006
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BROWNSBURG, Ind. (September 6, 2021) – Don Schumacher Racing may be best known for its on-track success but for drag racing’s winningest team, its ongoing partnership and successful fundraising efforts for Riley Hospital for Children is perhaps its most important victory. Since 2006, DSR has partnered with Riley to raise dollars and awareness for the nationally-ranked pediatric acute care children’s hospital headquartered in Indianapolis.
Located in nearby Brownsburg, Ind., DSR has enjoyed a longstanding tradition of showcasing the local nonprofit at the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals, aka ‘the Super Bowl of drag racing.’ One of the most beloved Riley/DSR traditions is the annual DSR Open House, where drag racing’s preeminent organization pulls back the curtains and opens its 145,000-square foot shop on the Friday leading into the ‘Big Go.’ The Open House, which typically includes a vast silent auction in addition to a classic car show, is one of two major fundraisers DSR hosts to benefit Riley each year. Due to COVID-19, DSR has been unable to hold the Open House since 2019, but the show must go on! For the second year in a row, DSR has moved its fundraising efforts online, and the 2021 campaign has proven to be a tremendous success.

L-R Donna Fischer, Don Schumacher, Liz Elkas, Dane Farlee, A.J. Stinger, Hali Warnick, Mike Lewis
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Thanks to the support of DSR partners and the NHRA community, DSR raised more than $50,000 during the 2021 NHRA U.S. Nationals, bringing its cumulative total to $788,245 raised for Riley Kids since 2006.
“I’m always so blown away by the way the NHRA community steps up and gets involved in our Riley auction each year,” said Don Schumacher. “I’d like to extend my sincerest ‘thanks’ to all that not only contributed items, but to everyone that bid on items as well. We’re proud to have been able to partner with Riley Hospital for Children for more than 15 years now, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come.”
“The longtime support of Don Schumacher Racing and everyone in the NHRA means the world to us – especially this year, when COVID is creating new challenges for Riley families and the Riley team,” said Liz Elkas, president and CEO of Riley Children’s Foundation. “The dollars raised will help Riley deliver the very best care to kids who are sick, injured and facing long-term health challenges. Don Schumacher is the ultimate class act, and we are immensely grateful to him and his team.”
Thanks to the support of DSR partners and the NHRA community, DSR raised more than $50,000 during the 2021 NHRA U.S. Nationals, bringing its cumulative total to $788,245 raised for Riley Kids since 2006.
“I’m always so blown away by the way the NHRA community steps up and gets involved in our Riley auction each year,” said Don Schumacher. “I’d like to extend my sincerest ‘thanks’ to all that not only contributed items, but to everyone that bid on items as well. We’re proud to have been able to partner with Riley Hospital for Children for more than 15 years now, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come.”
“The longtime support of Don Schumacher Racing and everyone in the NHRA means the world to us – especially this year, when COVID is creating new challenges for Riley families and the Riley team,” said Liz Elkas, president and CEO of Riley Children’s Foundation. “The dollars raised will help Riley deliver the very best care to kids who are sick, injured and facing long-term health challenges. Don Schumacher is the ultimate class act, and we are immensely grateful to him and his team.”

Former 'Riley Kid' Julie Lesh promotes the 2021 DSR/Riley Kids campaign during the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals
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This year’s online auction included an array of autographed racing memorabilia and several experiential packages. A chance to sit in a nitro car during a warm-up, a VIP NHRA ticket package, and an autographed diecast car were among the most popular big-ticket items. The virtual campaign also included a ‘dollar-per-vote’ contest where fans can select their favorite DSR driver for a one dollar donation. While the auction has since closed, the vote-for-driver contest is still live, and the GiveSmart site still has a handful of ‘Buy Now’ items up for grabs. The site and voting contest will close on Thursday, September 9th at 8:00 a.m. ET. As always, DSR welcomes monetary donations throughout the year. Interested supporters can contact DSR.
DSR and Riley Hospital for Children would like to thank Andretti Autosport, Cold Hard Art, Crescent, DC Motorsports, Goodyear, GearWrench, Impact, ION Wine, Jim Ledbetter, Kalitta Motorsports, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lincoln Electric, Matco Tools, the Maynard family, NHRA, Radford Racing School, Stewart Haas Racing, Three Fat Guys Wine, Toyota Racing, and zMAX Dragway for their generous contributions and help in ensuring the 2021 Riley Kids/U.S. Nationals fundraiser was an incredible success.

About Don Schumacher Racing: Established in 1998 as a single-car Top Fuel team, Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) has grown to become the winningest organization in NHRA Drag Racing history, and further cemented its position as one of motorsports’ elite teams when it surpassed the ‘350 wins’ milestone during the 2020 season. DSR owns 18 world championships in three different NHRA categories, and including hall-of-fame team owner Don Schumacher’s five NHRA Funny Car triumphs from the 1970s, DSR has been successful in capturing 363 national event victories overall. Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, DSR fields four professional teams competing in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Three-time world champion Antron Brown, and double-duty driver Leah Pruett headline DSR’s Top Fuel dragster team. DSR’s two Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Cars are driven by 2016 Funny Car world champion Ron Capps, and Matt Hagan, who earned his third NHRA series title in 2020. DSR also campaigns three entries in the NHRA Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Series. The trio of DSR Dodge Drag Paks is piloted by Pruett, the 2018 series champion, former Pro Stock racer Mark Pawuk, and David Davies who made his FSS debut in 2021. For more information, visit shoeracing.com, or Follow Us @shoeracing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.