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Moose Lodge president Eric Anderson and member Richard Williams show the NASCAR Cup race helmet to be raffled off.
Moose Lodge president Eric Anderson and member Richard Williams show the NASCAR Cup race helmet to be raffled off.

GI Moose Lodge 180 to showcase NASCAR Cup Series racecar

Sat, Jun 10th 2023 07:00 am

Moose Fraternity Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to visit Grand Island

Article and Photo by Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Heads-up NASCAR fans: Later this month, you will have opportunity to check out one of the premier vehicles in the 2023 Cup Series, as Grand Island Moose Lodge 180 hosts driver Ross Chastain’s No. 1 race car for public viewing.

This event is sponsored by Moose International. The black and red Moose Fraternity Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the organization’s featured vehicle in the NASCAR Cup Series. It will be display for viewing at the lodge – and be part of the Grand Island Independence Day parade on Tuesday, July 4.

“We got Ross Chastain’s No. 1 car coming from last year when he finished second in the points race,” Moose Lodge President Erik Anderson said. “Through our work with Rick Williams and Rick Hildebrand, Gary Sadzlewski and Al Matthews, the car will be here from June 29 to July 8. We have all kinds of stuff set up for it. It will be in parade on the 4th here on Grand Island.”

A native of Alva, Florida, Chastain is a member of Tice and Shores Moose Lodge 1287 in Fort Myers, Florida, and has been a prominent face for Moose International on the NASCAR circuit.  

According to Moose Magazine, Chastain scored an impressive victory at Talladega, Alabama, on April 24, 2022, with a final lap pass for his second Cup Series career victory. It was part of a breakout season for Chastain and Trackhouse Racing that saw him earn two overall wins; post 15 top-five finishes; and claim a second-place finish in the season standings – all career bests.

He opened the NASCAR Cup season this year at the Talladega Superspeedway in April and took part in the Enjoy Illinois 300 outside of Chicago on June 5. Chastain will be competing in upcoming races at Watkins Glen on Aug. 20, and at Martinsville, Virginia, on Oct. 29.

Grand Island Moose officials said the Camaro ZL1 would be on a flatbed at the lodge for viewing and is the drawing card for a number of planned Independence Day weekend activities. A classic car show, hosted by the lodge, will run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday July 1. The show is open to vehicles of all makes and vintages. The cost to enter and display is $10.

Lodge member Michael Kelly, who is coordinating the show, said car aficionados are welcome to be part of this special happening.

“It’s open to people; we want the cars to come,” he said. “We had 40 cars at the Lawnmower Races last year; it was a great turnout.”  

Anderson said the daylong event July 1 includes live music from 4-8 p.m. with southern/classical rock band Bad Influence and Richie Fountain, plus 50/50s and multiple raffles – including one for an official NASCAR gear, with Chastain’s 2022 race jersey and helmet. Hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers will be available for purchase, and a cash bar will be offered.

Anderson said the GI Lodge participates in a number of Grand Island happenings each year, including Relay For Life, the Lawnmower Race, and the parade. He said this event is one of the lodge’s premier happenings for 2023

“We usually have one big benefit each year. This fell into our lap,” Anderson said.

Lodge member Rick Hildebrand said, “Stop by, see the car, learn about the lodge and what we do.”

The Moose Lodge is located at 2524 Grand Island Blvd. For more information, check out the group’s Facebook page or call 716-773-6655.

 

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