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Natasha Webster, VUSE Vapor spokesperson and sponsor of Arrow McLaren SP Racing Team, Karl Newman Car Recipient, Dr. Jerry Punch, legendary Racing Sports announcer (ESPN), Susan Jacobs, Wheels of Success

INDYCAR Race Team Finds a Winner in St. Pete

By Ronda M. Parag

Karl Newman

Every spring, the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg brings blazingly fast cars, roaring engines and exciting racing to the Tampa Bay Area. Due to the pandemic, the race was rescheduled for October 23-25, but that didn’t stop one INDY team from making a huge impact for Plant-city resident and US-Army veteran Karl Newman back in March 2020.

Newman was presented with an Chevrolet HHR by NTT INDYCAR series team Arrow McLaren SP, and their corporate partner Vuse Vapor with the help of Tampa-based charity Wheels of Success. Newman, a AAA road service technician who spends his days on the highways of the Tampa area rescuing stranded drivers, had found himself and his family stranded without a vehicle. “It’s been tough,” Newman admitted. “I was taking the bus or Uber. It can get expensive. This is a big change for my family, that’s for sure.” In addition to trips to the grocery and work, Karl spent nearly $100 each week taking his son to Tampa for leukemia treatment appointments. Karl had applied to Tampa-based charity Wheels of Success. Wheels of Success Founder Susan Jacobs facilitated the presentation.

“We knew we wanted to do something meaningful in our first year as an IndyCar team partner,” said Natasha Webster, spokesperson for Vuse Vapor. “Hearing Karl’s story, we knew: We have to do this. I’m also a veteran and understand the sacrifices he’s made. We’re proud to get Karl his new wheels and get him and his family back on track.”

“Arrow McLaren SP is a team committed to doing the right things the right way,” said Sam Schmidt, AMSP Team Owner. “Even with the race cancellation, we wanted to show Karl, the INDYCAR paddock and all of Tampa Bay that racing is part of their community. It took a partnership of Wheels of Success, Vuse Vapor and our team to make this happen. It was a great day.”

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be held October 23-25, 2020. For tickets and information, visit gpstpete.com.

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