Before a packed house of 11,848 fans - the second highest attendance in team history - the ECHL Charlotte Checkers hockey team honored the local racing community Saturday night. The Checkers hosted their third annual AutoTrader.com Race Night while raising money for some of racing's biggest charities.

Much like the NBA Charlotte Bobcats game the night before, fans in attendance were able to browse a few NASCAR showcars, try their hand at racing around an R/C track, get information on events at Lowe's Motor Speedway and enjoyed NASCAR-related trivia during the intermissions. Fans walking the concourse were also invited to sign up for the National Marrow Donor Program. The Checkers also raffled off team mascot Chubby's Suzuki 750, the four-wheeler he rides on the ice during intermissions.

The Checkers donned special AutoTrader.com Race Night jerseys during Saturday's game - in which they beat the rival South Carolina Stingrays 3-2. Following the conclusion of the game a live auction was held for the jerseys worn that night. Raising money for the Speedway Children's Charities, Victory Junction Gang Camp, the Hendrick Marrow Program and B.R.A.K.E.S., each player autographed the jersey along with the driver of the same number.

"We are proud to be a part of Charlotte Checkers Race Night again in 2009 with Speedway Children's Charities, B. R. A. K. E. S. and the Victory Junction Gang Camp," Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports explained. "This is an opportunity to partner with some terrific organizations and generate awareness about the need for committed members on the NMDP Registry in the greater Charlotte community. I am especially grateful to AutoTrader.com for their continued support of this wonderful event."

"The Charlotte Checkers, Autotrader.com and Speedway Children's Charities have been so gracious to Victory Junction by allowing us to once again be a recipient for this event," added Pattie Petty, chairman and chief executive officer of Victory Junction. "These organizations continue to bless us with their support and focus on improving the lives of children in need within the community."

Over the weekend Charlotte's other sports teams showed the support and appreciation to NASCAR and those that help the sport go round. Two nights of NASCAR-related events at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Uptown Charlotte showcased the sport of auto racing to two groups of potential new fans. Honoring the sport and helping out a number of deserving charities showed that the Charlotte community is truly the home of Race Country U.S.A.