Requested Story

Contact: Linda Mansfield
(317) 236-9999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Tickets Now Available for Indy 500's Biggest Social Event

INDIANAPOLIS, April 8 - Tickets are now on sale for the biggest social event surrounding the Indianapolis 500 - the Standard Management Benefit for the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation on Monday, May 13 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For the third consecutive year the gala will be held at Morton's of Chicago, The Steakhouse, located at the corner of Washington and Pennsylvania streets in downtown Indianapolis.

The evening is presented by Raymond James & Associates and the Indy Racing League (IRL), and hosted by Treadway-Hubbard Racing, driver Arie Luyendyk and Sprint.

The affair attracts most of the drivers and team owners who will participate in the Indy 500 later in the month, as well as many of the city and state's most distinguished personalities. Patrons at the event can mingle with the drivers and enjoy a lavish strolling dinner buffet complete with Morton's signature menus items. The evening also includes a silent auction featuring coveted sports memorabilia and other one-of-a-kind merchandise.

All the proceeds go towards the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, which raises funds for medical research and rehabilitation for people impacted by paralysis. Schmidt, an Indy car driver who was paralyzed in a racing accident on Jan. 6, 2000, founded the 501(c)3 organization. In addition to guiding the foundation, he is currently an IRL team owner.

The ticket price, a reflection of Schmidt's car number both as a driver and a team owner, is $99.

The event is always a sell-out. To purchase tickets, contact Linda Mansfield at the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation by telephone at (317) 236-9999 or by e-mail at [email protected], or write to her in care of the foundation, 411 Dorman St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46202-3647.

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is committed to help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses by facilitating scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technology advances. The Foundation raises funds to improve quality of life and ensure best possible outcomes by touching individual lives.

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