Racing for Smiles of the Northwest is now certified tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions

To learn more about 501(c)(3) status for a non profit organization, follow this link to the IRS website.

With help from local Children's Organizations, Children's Hospitals, race tracks, local businesses and caring volunteers, Racing for Smiles of the North West brings a local child to the speedway where they can meet the drivers, receive autographs, participate in track ceremonies and possibly get to sit in some of their favorite cars.

Most importantly, they have fun!

The Racing for Smiles of the Northwest Program provides young race fans that are suffering from a serious injury or illness, a once in a lifetime dream come true.

in accordance with Code section 170.

2010 Smiling Kids press releases are available HERE

Las Vegas Ground Transportation Donated by

Racers converge on Fast Lane for season opener

by Pauline Calkins

With amazing passes and good times had by all, the racing season opened at Fast Lane Indoor Kart Racing January 22, 2011 for the second annual, “Racing for Smiles of the Northwest”, “So You Think You Can Race Challenge” “Jeff Russell Grand Prix of Boise”.

Fourteen teams comprised of four members each converged on Fast Lane Indoor Kart Racing in Meridian Idaho to throw their hat, or helmet, into the ring to challenge last year’s champions Team Quality Time.

Team Flunkies, Adam Nelson, Al Russell, and John Langston got a team together for Meridian Speedway. Hap Yearly, a truck driver from Caldwell, who wanted in on the action and was in town for the weekend, jumped into the fourth seat on the team. Johnny Giesler took the seat twice for Team Champions along with Colton Nelson and Ray Bollinger. Bernard Nussbaumer from Dallas TX came into town for the event along with teammates, Kurt Smith, Stafford Smith, and Kevin Guyan to make Team Flat Seven. Team Champs and Champions included Chase Gilbertson and Rocky Mountain Challenge Series winner Steve Jones.

All drivers and spectators gathered while Flagman Austin Hager gave the rules. One team member would run qualifying laps for starting position. The 200 lap race was broken up into four 50 lap segments, with 2 minutes between each segment for driver swap. There was a two lap penalty for purposely driving someone into the wall. The checkered flag would be waved after each segment.

Team Jeremiah qualified first with Team Champions 2nd and Team Woodja 3rd.

The first segment began with Honorary Flagman Riley Roberts waving the green flag. Announcer Mike Minegar called the race action. Segment one saw the fastest lap time of 21.090 by Team Flat Seven driver Stafford Smith who held on to that until segment four when team Woodja driver, Terry Lawrence, beat that fast time with a time of 20.944.

Team Woodja comprised of Neil Latham, Tim Lawrence, Terry Lawrence and Matt Wolfkiel, took home the trophy along with a new Craftsman toolbox for each of them donated by Sears.

All proceeds went to benefit Racing For Smiles of the Northwest and the Jeff Russell fund.

Ron Hayes, President of Racing for Smiles would like to thank, Fast Lane Indoor Kart Racing, weardpc.com, Major Tire & Hitch, Lamb Cylinder Heads, Mike Minegar’s Auto Body. Raceway Video, Print Craft, A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning, Meridian Speedway, Mulder’s Auto Machine, Blimpie, Farmers Insurance, Identify Signworks, AA Logos Custom Embroidery, Sears, Global Peace Factory and Idaho Racing News.