Four-time NHRA champion Gary Scelzi shares a laugh with NHRA team owner and Mel Larson Night of Champions honoree Ken Black before the April 11 event

Mel Larson Night of Champions honors Ken Black, raises $94,000 for Speedway Children’s Charities

The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the Mel Larson Night of Champions dinner, honoring NHRA car owner Ken Black, on Tuesday, April 11, at Bellagio. The event raised more than $94,000 for the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

The dinner is an annual event to honor local community members and local racing champions.

The dinner featured four-time NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car Champion Gary Scelzi as the keynote speaker. NHRA drivers Greg Anderson, Jason Line, Hilary Will and crew chief Jim Oberhoffer, also spoke at event recognizing their boss and car owner Black. The speedway also recognized the 2006 season champions from its drag-racing facility, The Strip; and its 3/8-mile oval, The Bullring. Black and Scelzi took part in a meet-and-greet with guests during the reception.

Black owns two Pro-Stock cars and one Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series. Black’s drivers have amassed 59 wins (through Atlanta of the 2007 season) and four NHRA Championships. In 1975, he founded Vegas General Construction Company, which included KB Framers and K&K Framers.

Last December, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities distributed more than $299,000 to 64 local charities at its annual grant distribution ceremony.