While there may not be any NASCAR racing this weekend, there is one event scheduled that will bring together some of the sport’s best for a wonderful cause.  The 3rd annual Legends Helping Legends fundraiser will be held this Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the Memory Lane Motorsports & Automotive Museum in Mooresville, N.C.  The event will see some of the biggest names from the history of NASCAR come together to raise funds for legendary crew chief and mechanic Jake Elder.

“Suitcase” Jake, as he was known throughout the garage, left his mark on the sport by leading David Pearson and Dale Earnhardt to championship runs despite never moving past the third grade.   A legend in his own right, Elder is now under the care of the Autumn Care Assisted Living Center in Statesville, N.C and Saturday’s event is an effort to raise funds for his continued well being.

Beginning at 10am and going until 4pm, the Legends Helping Legends event is a great experience for any Hardcore Race Fan in the Race Country USA area.  Some of NASCAR’s biggest names will come together Saturday to sign autographs, relive old memories and raise money for their good friend Jake Elder. 

Since drivers and crew members are seen as independent contractors for NASCAR there is no pension or retirement set up once they leave the sport.  As a result, many of the legends that helped build the sport into the multi-million dollar industry it is today have been pushed away and forced to deal with the complications of aging on their own with no help from NASCAR.  Unlike other sports where players associations and contracts ensure a secure retirement, NASCAR drivers and crew members are left to fend for themselves after serving their purpose for the sport.  Events such as this show that while the sanctioning body might not be there to support its legends, their fellow competitors have stepped up to lend a helping hand.

Some of the NASCAR Legends scheduled to appear during the third annual event include, Bobby Allison, Mike Beam, Tim Brewer, Richard Brickhouse, Travis Carter, Neil “Soapy” Castles, Francis Flock (wife of Time Flock), Joe Frasson, Jeff Hammond, Jimmy Hensley, Gene Hobby, Harry Lee Hyde, Ned Jarrett, Brownie King, Lou Laruso, Paul Lewis, Boscoe Lowe, Butch Mock, Mitzie Moody (Ralph Moody’s wife), Lil’ Bud Moore, Jerry Nadeau, L.D. Ottinger, Charles “Slick” Owens, “Tiger” Tom Pistone, Gary Potter, Baxter Price, Dub Simpson, Ken Ragen, Dr. Don Tarr, Jabe Thomas, Ronnie Thomas, Hank Thurman, “Peanut” Thurman, Don Tilley, Travis Tiller, Bunny Turner (wife of Curtis Turner), Jim Vandiver, “Blackie” Wagerin, Rex White, Dink Widenhouse and others.

Admission for Saturday’s event is $10 and includes entrance to the Memory Lane Motorsports and Historic Automotive Museum, which houses over 150 historic race cars and automobiles, access to the legends of the sport on hand for the event, the opportunity to take part in 50/50 raffles and the chance to win some amazing door prizes. 

A motorcycle ride from Tilley Harley Davidson in Statesville, N.C. to the Memory Lane Museum is also planned prior to the event.  Registration starts at 9am at Tilley Harley Davidson, with the ride beginning with a police escort at 10am. 

Memory Lane Motorsports & Automotive Historical Museum is located at 769 River Hwy (HWY 150), Mooresville, NC 28117.  (Exit 36 1.5 miles west of I-77, 704-662-3673)

If you cannot attend the event and would like to make a donation to Jake, send a check to his sister Helen Moore who is his guardian and specify c/o ‘Jake Elder Fund’ on the check.  These donations can be sent to Memory Lane Museum at 769 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117, and will be forwarded to Helen Moore.