Papa John's and Don Schumacher Racing donate $20,000 to winner's
charity of choice, Riley Hospital for Children
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
"Papa John" Schnatter, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Papa
John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) faced off against Don
Schumacher Racing Top Fuel Driver Leah Pritchett in a "Charity
Challenge" race at this year's National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
Chevrolet Performance U.S.Nationals.
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"Papa John" Schnatter raced his prized gold '71 Camaro against Don Schumacher Racing's Leah Pritchett, driver of the Papa John's dragster, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 at NHRA U.S.Nationals for the winner's charity of choice. Papa John's and DSR put up $10,000 each for Riley's Hospital for Children, adding $20,000 to funds already raised through pizza sales earlier in the day. (Photo: Business Wire)
Days earlier, Pritchett challenged Schnatter over social media to put
his famed Camaro to the test against her speed driving skills. They
upped the ante by creating a $20,000 purse for charity, with the winner
earning the right to pick the charity of their choice.
John raced his 1971 Camaro Z28, the same car he bought for $1,600 when
he was 15 years old from money he made washing dishes at Rocky's Sub Pub
in his hometown of Jeffersonville, Indiana. He eventually sold it to
keep his dad out of bankruptcy and start the very first Papa John's
pizzeria. In 2009, he was reunited with his prized Camaro.
While both
drivers brought their "A" game, Leah pulled out the victory, proving
why she's the professional driver and "Papa John" is the proud new
sponsor. Leah selected Riley Hospital for Children as her charity of
choice.
"I never like to lose, but I knew Leah would be tough to beat. Racing my
prized Camaro against one of the best in the business was a thrill.
While Leah may have crossed the finish line first, the real winner is
the Riley Children's Hospital, whose lifesaving work is an inspiration
and priceless gift to so many children and their families," said "Papa
John" Schnatter. "I admire Leah's determination, passion and commitment
to always getting better. I am excited to follow what is sure to be her
impressive racing career."
"Some people may think it's not wise to beat your sponsor. But John
respects the fact that like him I'm a car lover who dreams big and
always plays to win," said Leah Pritchett. "When I lost my ride
recently, Papa John's stepped up and gave me a shot to race in the U.S.Nationals. John has never forgotten the people who helped him along the
way. And now he's helping me live my dream."
Pritchett maintained her 10th position at the NHRA U.S.Nationals while competing in her 10,000-horsepower, black and gold Papa
John's dragster, a salute to "Papa John" Schnatter's iconic, gold
Camaro. Leah will go on to compete in the NHRA "Countdown to the
Championship".
About Papa John's
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International,
Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world's third-largest pizza delivery company.
For 15 of the past 17 years, consumers have rated Papa John's No. 1 in
customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American
Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John's is the Official Pizza
Sponsor of the National Football League and the Official Pizza of Major
League Baseball. For more information about the company or to order
pizza online, visit Papa John's at www.papajohns.com.
Also visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PapaJohns,
Twitter at http://twitter.com/PapaJohns, YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/papajohns,
Instagram at instagram.com/papajohns,
Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/papajohnspizza,
and Vine at vine.co/papajohns.
Looking to be a part of something Better? Learn more about franchising
with Papa John's at www.papajohns.com/franchise.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160906006416/en/
Papa John's International, Inc.
Peter Collins, 502-261-4233
Senior
Director, Public Relations
peter_collins@papajohns.com
Source: Papa John's International, Inc.
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