HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – IRWIN® Tools has been involved in motorsports for many years, but this past weekend in Morganton, NC, the leader in hand tool and power tool accessories gravitated to a racing event that didn’t require a “motor.”

IRWIN showed its support of the local Optimist Club’s 28th annual Soapbox Derby at the Burke County Fairgrounds by handing out 50 tickets to the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (TN) Dragway, to be held Father’s Day weekend, June 15-17.

The tickets were part of a raffle for all participants conducted by IRWIN, the proud sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, which will be held on Saturday, August 25. In front of hundreds of race fans, the event drew a record 58 racers from ages seven to 17. The Soapbox Derby cars are handmade, down-hill, single-person racers that run solely on the power of gravity.

“Soapbox Derby racing is a great way for boys and girls and their parents to “build” something as a family,” said Curt Rahilly, IRWIN’s Vice President of Marketing. “These cars are constructed with wood, steel, wheels and other materials, and many were built using IRWIN Tools, so we were glad to get involved with this unique form of family racing where everyone has a hand in it.”

Rahilly added, “At IRWIN, we know how important it is for families to spend quality time together. By giving several families tickets to the Bristol NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, we are pleased to introduce them to another type of racing during Father’s Day weekend. We are proud to offer these tickets as part of our partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway.”

Soapbox Derby cars can take as long as 30 hours to create. Winners from this past weekend’s festivities included Taylor Hensley (Stock division), Kelly Lane (Super Stocks) and Cody Poteat (Masters).

Gates for Bristol’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals open at 9:00 am on Friday, June 15, 7:30 am on Saturday, June 16 and 8:30 am for Sunday’s (June 17) Final Eliminations.

The IRWIN Tools Night Race will begin the countdown to the second annual National Tradesmen Day on Sept. 21 where IRWIN honors America’s tradesmen, who roll up their sleeves every day to build our homes; repair our cars, trucks and planes; heat and cool our homes – and build Soapbox Derby cars!

Source: IRWIN Tools