IndyCar supporting charity events in Las Vegas

IZOD IndyCar Series championship contenders Will Power, Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon look to score a huge win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships Presented by Honda. However, prior to taking the track, they'll attempt to "clean up" against some of Las Vegas' best blackjack players to raise funds for a pair of charitable organizations.

The INDYCAR Charity Blackjack Tournament at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, presented by AirMed, Friday, Oct. 14, will allow blackjack players of all levels the opportunity to compete and mingle with the fastest, most versatile race car drivers in the world. INDYCAR's best blackjack player will win a Ritmo Mundo timepiece valued at approximately $5,000 although the big winners of the night will be CARA Charities and Opportunity Village.

"This tournament is a chance for INDYCAR to give back while capturing the excitement that comes with being a winner in Las Vegas," said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR. "People go to Las Vegas in hopes of winning big and the winner of the tournament will be the first big winner of the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships weekend."

The two-hour tournament will be held on MGM Grand's casino floor. Cocktail hour kicks off the event at 6 p.m. followed by the tournament from 7 – 9 p.m.

All final table participants will receive a Ritmo Mundo timepiece valued at approximately $2,500, while each competing player will be entered in a drawing for a timepiece worth approximately $10,000.

The tournament entry fee is $250 per person with 100 percent of the proceeds going to CARA Charities, supporting philanthropic projects on behalf of the open-wheel motorsports community, and Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization serving the Las Vegas community and individuals with intellectual disabilities with the goal of enhancing their lives and the lives of their families.

"Hopefully, the INDYCAR Charity Blackjack Tournament can hit the jackpot for Las Vegas' favorite charity, Opportunity Village, and CARA Charities," Bernard said. "Thanks to AirMed's sponsorship we will be able to make sure both charities win."

To register for the tournament in advance visit www.indycarworldchampionships.com/schedule, contact Dani Mallas at Source One Events at (702) 795-7772 or e-mail dani@source1events.com.

The IZOD IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights champions, plus the Sunoco Rookie of the Year, will be crowned following the races on the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval. Additionally, reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon seeks to claim the $5 million Go Daddy INDYCAR Challenge. Should Wheldon, who will start from the rear of the more than 30 car field, take the checkered flag, he will split the $5 million prize with the winning sweepstakes entrant.

For more information about the IZOD INDYCAR World Championships presented by Honda race weekend activities and to enter the Go Daddy INDYCAR Challenge sweepstakes, visit www.indycarworldchampionships.com.