On Wednesday, March 12^th Autism Speaks, The Gillen Brewer School and NASCAR came together at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their Speed for a Cure gala.

Guests enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour in the Great Hall with tasty hors d’oeuvres and top shelf open bar while browsing the sports memorabilia up for silent auction. One of a kind pieces, like driver signed helmets and legendary greats’ (like Mickey Mantle and Larry Bird) sports items helped the event raise over $1.2 million for children with autism and other special needs.

ESPN television personality Mike Tirico was the host for the evening’s dinner in the Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing and kept a slew of NASCAR drivers including Brad Keselowski, Michael Waltrip, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Clintt Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr., and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, among many others, entertained throughout the night.

Tirico honored NASCAR’s Chairman and CEO Brian France and his wife Amy in addition to other VIP business and NASCAR attendees including Paul Charron (CEO of Campbell Soup Co.), Vincent Forlenza (CEO of Dollar General), and Artie Kempner (Coordinating Director for Fox NASCAR).

Other notable attendees included the Co-Chairs (and Co-Founders) of Autism Speaks, Suzanne and Bob Wright, Chairman Emeritus at Gillen Brewer Henry Schacht, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and Honorary Co-Chair, the VP of State Government Affairs for Autism Speaks, Lorri Unumb. While this was a less formal affair than many held at The Met, the elegant evening and dinner brought out a great crowd for an even greater cause to help needy children.

Happy Speeding,

Jenicka

Photos via Josh Wong Photography and by Socially Superlative