THIS WEEKEND'S CHARITY EVENTS FOR SPEEDWAY CHILDRENS CHARITIES BRING A UNIQUE TENNESSEE AND VIRGINIA TECH FLAIR

Whether you are a Tennessee Volunteer, a Virginia Tech Hokie or just love helping out kids, there is still time to be a part of this weekend's Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol Charity Dinner and Golf Tournament presented by Bank of Tennessee.

The two-day exclusive event, held this coming Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2, will benefit Speedway Children's Charities and scholarship foundations at the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Space for the activities is limited.

The charity dinner is scheduled for Sunday night at 6 p.m. with live musical entertainment offered. The charity golf tournament will take place on Monday at The Virginian Golf Club in Bristol, Va. The golf tournament will include the annual golf cart race where teams race NASCAR-style around a set oval course.

Both Tennessee and Virginia Tech will be well represented on both days of SCC's charity event.

The Tennessee base is highlighted by Phil Fulmer, the 1999 National Championship-winning coach. Joining him is five-time NFL Pro Bowl selection Al Wilson, Associated Press' 1992 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Carl Pickens and former NFL wide receiver Tim McGee among many others.

Representing Virginia Tech are numerous former players under legendary Coach Frank Beamer including Pierson Prioleau, Robbie Colley, Davon Morgan and Shawn Whitten, the brother of Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.

In addition, Steve Johnson will represent Virginia Tech. Johnson is president of Johnson Commercial Development, which has developed The Pinnacle and co-developed The Virginian Golf Club. Johnson was a tight end at Virginia Tech and ended up playing professionally for the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys.

Musical entertainment for the charity dinner will be provided by Brett James, Rivers Rutherford and Kelly Lovelace, three of music's most successful songwriters. James is a singer-songwriter who has had more than 500 of his songs recorded by some of the biggest artists in the world, from Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts to Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, and Leona Lewis.

Rutherford, a Memphis native, moved to Nashville and has penned hits for the likes of Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton among others. Kenny Chesney, Rodney Atkins, Trace Adkins, and Brooks & Dunn

Lovelace is a fellow singer-songwriter who works for EMI Music Publishing and has written for the likes of Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenney Chesney, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, Randy Houser, Hunter Hayes, Joe Nichols, Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreary, Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, and many others.

Renowned ESPN reporter Dr. Jerry Punch will emcee the charity dinner.

Space is filling up fast. Please contact SCC's Betsy Holleman at 423-989-6975 for more information.