Penske Racing Auctions a Winner at Barrett-Jackson
January 20, 2012
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 19, 2012) - Roger Penske - one of the world's leading automotive executives - attended the Barrett-Jackson auction on Thursday evening, along with Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski and representatives of the Discount Tire Corporation and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans). The parties gathered to auction off a 2010 No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Charger that Brad Keselowski drove to one of six wins during his NASCAR Nationwide Series championship season.
The car, donated to the Paralyzed Veterans in 2011, rolled across the auction block at 8 pm ET. With Penske, Keselowski and members of the Paralyzed Veterans on hand, the Dodge brought in a total of $600,000 from three separate donations. Sean Jordan will take ownership of the Dodge as the winning bidder. Bruce Halle, founder and chairman of Discount Tire, agreed to match Jordan's winning bid. Before leaving the auction block, Donald Damon - a past supporter of the Paralyzed Veterans through Barrett-Jackson - donated an additional $100,000.
The total is the most that the Paralyzed Veterans have ever received through a Barrett-Jackson auction. The money will help the Paralyzed Veterans continue their mission of providing injured servicemen and servicewomen the care they need when returning home from conflict.
"The Paralyzed Veterans are not only good partners of Penske Racing, but they are partners of America's service men and women," said Roger Penske. "They are a group of people that provide our freedom. After their service, serious injury shouldn't stop them from living the full, rewarding lives they deserve."
The No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge has a significant history. Keselowski drove it to his first win as a member of Penske Racing in April of 2010 in the rain-delayed Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. The Rochester Hills, Mich., native would go on to win five more times that season to become the first NASCAR champion from Penske Racing, one of the most-successful sports organizations in the world.
"It's a very special car for me, from a very special year," stated Keselowski. "However, I would rather put it to good use than have it sitting in a garage somewhere. I've been fortunate to work with the Paralyzed Veterans over the last several years, so I know firsthand the work they do. I'm honored that Penske Racing can continue to help their cause."
About Paralyzed Veterans of America
Sixty-five years ago, Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded by a band of spinal cord injured service members who returned home from World War II to a grateful nation, but also to a world with few solutions to the challenges they faced. These veterans from the "Greatest Generation" made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity as contributors to society. They created an organization dedicated to veteran's service, medical research and civil rights for people with disabilities. And for more than six decades, Paralyzed Veterans of America and its 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans and people with disabilities, and their families, have everything they need to thrive. For more information about Paralyzed Veterans, please visit www.pva.org.