Two- time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip and Columbus Ohios Sports Pavilion & Automotive Research Center (SPARC) teamed with Aarons and Toyota today to donate more than $100,000 worth of food, home items, cash and 1,000 childrens books to local charities. Bill Schottenstein and Waltrip delivered a semi-hauler of food and other items to families at the site of what will be an automotive research and technology center in Columbus. Schottenstein heads Arshot Investment Corporation that is leading SPARCs redevelopment effort of the old Cooper Stadium. It plans to turn the stadium into a multi-purpose event facility that features a Waltrip-designed half-mile test and race track, an automotive research and technology center, as well as a conference and lodging complex. Waltrip made local media appearances, delivered food to local charities and signed autographs in Columbus today for fans who brought canned food to the site. Aarons brought food items and distributed merchandise to those in attendance. Toyota made a cash donation. Fans also got an up-close view of Clint Bowyers No. 15 PEAK Toyota at the event. ‘The Schottenstein family is known for giving back to this community and it was an honor for me to be part of this today. When you combine Bill, SPARC and our partners at Aarons and Toyota it makes for a great event. Isnt this what the holidays are really all about?” asked Waltrip. ‘This redevelopment project is going to be really cool and I think everyone around the Midwest will want to come and check it out. This place is going to host a lot of great events and I cant wait to open it up in 2015.”(MWR)
