LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities held its sixth annual Cards for Kids Texas Hold ‘em poker tournament at the Cannery Hotel & Casino Wednesday night and raised a record $16,425 for the children of Southern Nevada.

Among the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series stars participating in the event were: Greg Anderson, “Fast Jack” Beckman, Brandon Bernstein, Gary Densham, Larry Dixon, Jason Line, Morgan Lucas, Spencer Massey, Cory McClenathan, Karen Stoffer and announcer Bob Frey.

Indy car team owner Sam Schmidt finished second in the tournament, which raised more than $3000 over the 2008 event.

The tournament was won by N. Las Vegas resident Mike Kinney.
The tournament was sponsored by the Cannery Hotel & Casino, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Nevada Beverage and Coca-Cola.

The event kicked off the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, which began today and runs through Sunday at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event is the next-to-last race on the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule and a record number of entries were received in the Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car categories.

To purchase tickets or obtain additional information, please call the LVMS Ticket Services Office at (702) 644-4444 or visit www.LVMS.com. Follow LVMS on Facebook and Twitter.