Race car legend Mario Andretti and his clan know how to make a great impression. In town for the wekend’s Texas Firestone Twin 275s at Texas Motor Speedway, the Andrettis threw a heck of a “cowboy chic” fundraiser, Racing Round Up Gala, for the Children’s Museum in the new Perot Museum of Nature & Science Museum and Speedway Children’s Charities at Texas Motor Speedway. Officially presented by the Michael Andretti Foundation in conjunction with Dr Pepper Snapple Group, more than 500 heeded that call to Gilley’s despite the Mavericks game at American Airlines Center with the Miami Heat just down the road.
Organizers had taken into account that some guests might want to watch the playoff games, so there were plenty of TV screens set up throughout Gilley’s.
When asked why the Andrettis had mounted the effort, it was learned that the family had heard about construction of the new museum and got in touch saying, “We want to help.” Children’s charities are near and dear to them.
While patriarch Mario was the special guest of the event, son/race car team owner Michael Andretti and his former Playboy Playmate of the Year (1999)/wife-of-five-years Jodi stole the show upon arrival. In cowboy hat, red bandanna, white T-shirt and denim short skirt, Jodi apologized that Michael hadn’t had a chance to change into this cowboy boots, but she needn’t worry. Very few, if any, noticed Michael’s sneakers next to Jodi’s highest heel cowboy boots.
Mario Andretti and Nicole Small photo provided by the Museum of Nature and Science