$89,131 raised at Auction: The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities kicked off its 2002 fundraising drive with a home run: the fourth annual NASCAR Driver Auction raised $89,131 for the needy children of Las Vegas and southern Nevada. The auction, held Thursday, Feb. 28, at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, eclipsed last year’s event, which raised $33,000. All 44 drivers entered in the Cup race were auctioned off, as well as 20 BGN drivers. Rusty Wallace drew the highest bid: $7,000. Winning bidders on Winston Cup Series competitors received the opportunity to ride in a convertible with their driver during the pre-race driver introduction lap. Winning bidders on BGN drivers were entitled to a “meet and greet” at driver introductions prior to the start of the race today. The top 15 Auction Bids: 1. …..Rusty Wallace — $7,000 2. …..Tony Stewart — $3,500 3. …..Dale Earnhardt Jr. — $3,400 4. …..Stacy Compton — $2,500 5. …..Jeff Gordon — $2,500 6. …..Michael Waltrip — $1,500 7. …..Bill Elliott — $1,300 8. …..Mark Martin — $1,250 9. …..Kevin Harvick — $1,200 10. .Terry Labonte –$1200 11. .Jeff Burton –$1,200 12. .Kyle Petty –$1,150 13. .Bobby Labonte –$1,100 14. .Shawna Robinson –$1,100 15. .Dale Jarrett –$1,100.(LVMS PR)(3-2-2002) (3-1-2002)
