Upcoming Racing Against Cancer Events
In Memory of Gerard Joseph Nadeau 1944-2007
This week the Racing Against Cancer™ Team announced that it would host the 2007 Jerry Nadeau Racing Against Cancer™ Dinner and Monte Carlo Night. The charity event will be held on Friday, June 29, 2007 at the Courtyard Marriott in Concord, NH located at 70 Constitution Avenue to coincide with the Nextel Cup event at New Hampshire International Speedway. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Racing Against Cancer™ Program and David’s House, a non-profit haven for providing lodging to children, being treated at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center,and their families.

Former Nextel Cup competitor and New England native, Jerry Nadeau will headline the event that will be held in honor of his late father Gerard Nadeau. In March, after a short but valiant battle, the elder Nadeau succumbed to Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer.

The fundraising event will feature a reception beginning at 5 PM with photo opportunities with Jerry Nadeau and several Whelen Modified Tour drivers followed by an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet. Dinner will be served from 6:00PM-7:30PM. The casino-type gaming will from run from 7:30PM-11:30PM. A variety of prizes will be awarded to table-game winners.

“You can never truly understand what cancer can do until you experience it personally,” said Nadeau. “We never thought it would happen to us and we never thought we would lose (our father).”

Nadeau plans to make something positive of the personal struggles that he and his family have endured by making a difference in the fight against cancer. And doing so in loving tribute to his father-the man he admired and emulated.

Gerard Joseph Nadeau a.k.a. 'Jerry' TROUTMAN (1944-2007) was his son’s every day hero with a lifetime of love and understanding. He was also his racing hero. Jerry, Jr. inherited his passion for racing from his father, who ran Modifieds every Saturday night at the Danbury Race Arena in Danbury, CT until its close. Jerry Jr. had his first go-kart before he turned five years old.

Jerry’s most notable accomplishment is his NEXTEL Cup victory in the 2000 NAPA 500 season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway for Hendrick Motorsports. Before moving to stock car racing, Nadeau found success in the open-wheel and road course arenas winning international acclaim for his victories around the world. In the 90’s, with the blessing of his family, Nadeau moved to North Carolina to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing. His first Cup start came in 1997 driving for Richard Jackson.

A devastating injury in 2004 has sidelined Nadeau from Cup competition in recent years; however, he has remained an active part of the racing community. Last season, he helped David Gilliland score his first-ever Busch Series win. Today he is back behind the wheel, driving competitive go-karts.

On June 1-3, Nadeau will participate in the 24 Hours of Liera, Portugal for EnduranceKarting.com’s Team USA. In previous years, Team USA finished in positions two and three. In 2007, Nadeau hopes to do them one better and bring home the victory.

On June 29th, he hopes to earn a victory for the Racing Against Cancer™ Team as well.

“My Dad was never a poker guy,” said Nadeau, “but I certainly am. It will be a good time and I am excited about it. I am looking forward to playing and doing well, not only in the tournament, but in fundraising.”

Donations of $50 include dinner and gaming admittance. Children’s dinner (only) tickets are also available for $30. All proceeds benefit the Racing Against Cancer™ Program. Dinner tickets must be purchased by June 21, 2007. Admission to the Monte Carlo Casino event will be available the day of the event for a $20 donation. Dinner and event tickets may be purchased online at www.racingagainstcancer.com. Online ticket orders will be confirmed via email and be left at will-call at the entrance of the event.

Throughout the evening, RAC will host a silent auction and raffle. Signature items include body panels off the Chase Racing Modified driven by two-time NEXTEL Cup champion Tony Stewart at NHIS last July and the authentic fire suit worn by Stewart in the event. One lucky winner will take home the fire suit during the evening.

“I know (Dad) will be playing alongside of me. I hope we do well, raise a lot of money and make a difference in this fight.”

The Racing Against Cancer™ program is a federally recognized 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the raising of funds for cancer research, patient services, youth tobacco educational programs, and awareness.