Don Schumacher and Terry Chandler have announced that they will team once again in 2015 with NHRA Funny Car driver Tommy “T.J.” Johnson Jr. to campaign a Dodge Charger R/T that will carry the logo, colors and spirit of Make-A-Wish.
It continues one of the most unique marketing partnerships in motorsports – if not all sports – where Chandler funds the Don Schumacher Racing team while raising awareness for the non-profit Make-A-Wish organization by donating branding on the race car, team transporters and uniforms to Make-A-Wish while hosting hundreds of Make-A-Wish kids and their families throughout the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season at 24 events held throughout the country.
The unprecedented effort began at the beginning of this season through the alliance that will extend through next year to help wonderful children and families of Make-A-Wish.
Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories, on average, every 38 minutes. Its philosophy is that “a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us. It inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.”
The team is fully funded by Chandler. Make-A-Wish does not contribute any funds to the racing operation.
“This past year with Make-A-Wish on the Funny Car has absolutely been the most awesome, overwhelming and amazing year that I’ve experienced in my life,” said Chandler. “We get to meet so many kids, and it can be gut-wrenching to see what these precious babies and their families are living through, but they are each so brave, and that has inspired us all. To see those smiles on their faces when we tell them that this is their racecar, not ours, and to see their excitement and their joy when they are here with us at the track has meant the world to every single person on this team. The guys on the Make-A-Wish Funny Car team have the biggest hearts in the world, and I’m so proud to have them. This past year has been a huge learning experience for me. I am so grateful to Don Schumacher and everyone at DSR for taking me under their wing.
“I thank the Lord very, very much, and I thank my daddy, John R. Gray, for giving me this blessing so that I can bless others. This has been an amazing year, and I’m confident that in 2015 we’ll have another great year with Make-A-Wish. I’m looking forward to visiting with many more Wish Kids and families at the racetrack next year. Seeing those kids smile means everything – not just to me, but to our whole team.”
DSR’s Make-A-Wish Funny Car team debuted this year at the season-opening NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, and returns this weekend to conclude the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Veteran driver Johnson was hired to drive the car with rookie crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds started this weekend with one event title and ranked fourth in the championship points standings.
“This program with Terry and Make-A-Wish has far exceeded anything I could have imagined and we’re excited for next year,” Schumacher said. “I couldn’t have imagined how Terry’s commitment and love for Make-A-Wish children would touch every member of DSR and especially me.
“Having these children and their wonderful families with us at races lifts everyone at DSR emotionally.”
Johnson’s return would not have been possible without Chandler backing the team.
“Terry probably has a bigger heart than anyone I’ve ever known,” Johnson said. “She’s super passionate about drag racing, loves her team and cares about everyone she’s around, especially her Make-A-Wish kids. She gives back more than anyone I’ve ever known.
“I’m thrilled that not only have we had a great season so far with our Make-A-Wish Dodge but that we’ll have another opportunity next year to be even stronger and better.”
David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, lauds the drag racing program.
“The past year has been full of excitement both on and off the track, and all of us at Make-A-Wish are grateful for the support of Terry Chandler, Tommy Johnson Jr., and the entire DSR team,” Williams said.
“We are looking forward to another year of memories and incredible moments. Terry’s continued support of Make-A-Wish through this marketing initiative and her passion for our mission means thousands of people will learn about the life-changing wishes we grant every day.”
The 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opens Feb. 5-8 at Pomona.
