Van Meter Night on Friday benefits Aiming For A Cure (video)

The annual Van Meter Night will be Friday at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, and plenty of excitement is in store for fans that attend the event to aid Aiming For A Cure.

It will mark the fourth time the Cedar Rapids employee-owned company has used the night as a fundraiser, making contributions to flood relief in Cedar Rapids, Children's Miracle Network and Aiming For A Cure. This Friday will include the third annual celebrity charity race, featuring University of Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands, former Hawkeye and Cedar Rapids Jefferson wrestling champion Mark Ironside and Van Meter Chief Financial Officer Mick Slinger.

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Last year the race featured former Iowa City High, Iowa and NFL football standout Tim Dwight. In 2010, Bob Bruce and Ron Corbett participated. Gates open at 6 p.m. with hot laps starting at 6:35. Pre-race ceremonies begin at 7:15 and heat races start at 7:30.

Van Meter Night includes weekly points races with the celebrity race between heats and features. The evening will include an auction of various sports memorabilia. A helmet autographed by former Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, a football signed by Kevin Kolb, autographed items by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Greg Biffle and other wrestling pieces will be included with the proceeds going to Aiming For A Cure.

Van Meter Hds Flyer