Quick cross-country trek was for a good cause

Last month, Dave Schaub, a former Army drill instructor, set himself a challenge: drive through all 49 continental United States in 9 days or less.

As one of my favorite smart-alec morning radio personalities often says when reporting on such feats, "And if he makes it ... so what?"

Well, he not only did it in 8 days, 16 hours and 48 minutes, averaging 66.2 mph, he did it at the wheel of a 1932 Ford street rod. Admittedly, he didn't drive great lengths in every states -- he barely caught the southeastern corner of the Sunflower State. He carefully planned his route from Needles, Calif., winding up in Hyder, Alaska, so he could roll through the edges and corners of several states.

The really big "So What," though, is that like a lot of car hobbyists, the old DI was raising money for charity. In this case, he generated nearly $100,000 for a Ronald McDonald House in his home state. He will continue his fund raising at other national rodding events this fall, noting, "My aim is to share the journey with as many people as possible to raise even more money for the children and their families.

For that, we salute you, Sarge!

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Another good cause among car guys and gals a little closer to home is the ongoing Red Cross Racing program, where folks can sign up to donate blood and earn points good for NASCAR prizes at the end of the racing season.

Helping promote that effort is the Sports Daily talk show on radio station KFH. If you would like to torment our own sports columnist, Bob Lutz, who co-hosts the program along with Bruce Haertl, call in during the Thursday morning "Pit Crew" segments and see if you can stump the guys with a NASCAR question.

If you can, you will receive a 1/24th scale diecast model of Greg Biffle's Sprint Cup car, courtesy of the American Red Cross. Lutz has learned a lot about stock car racing since he wrote his first column from the Kansas Speedway a few years ago, but I'm betting there are a few fans out there who can put him in his place.

For more information on the Red Cross Racing program, go to www.redcrossracing.comcq or call Jennifer Keller at 316-268-0853.cq