Vasser hangs on for Pro/Celeb race win

By Dave Lewandowski

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Jimmy Vasser, co-owner of IZOD IndyCar Series team KV Racing Technology and a former CART champion, wasn't playing with the other competitors in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race. Really, he wasn't.

"It was a lot of fun, but a lot more work than I expected," said Vasser, who held off Formula Drift champion Tanner Foust, also competing in the Pro category, by 0.645 of a second in the 10-lap race on the 1.968-mile Long Beach temporary street circuit.

Both overtook Brian Austin Green ("Beverly Hills 90210"), who was the first celeb to cross the finish line -- 2.9 seconds behind Vasser -- on the final lap.

"It was a battle and so much fun," said Austin Green, who competed in the event 14 years ago. "We were pinballing off each other and the tire barriers. I destroyed my car and walked away. I feel good.

"It was so fast. We were really pushing each other. You could tell by the times in practice and qualifying. It was a great race."

Adrien Brody ("The Pianist") and Zachary Levi ("Chuck") were the next celebrity races to take the checkers.

“This group of guys and girls were fast all during practice and the race, and I hadn't seen battles like that in a long time," said Vasser, who won at Long Beach in his Atlantic series debut in 1991. "It’s great fun to be out there racing, throwing cars around on the track. "Next to Indianapolis, Long Beach to my heart is the No. 1 race of the year. I’ve had so many great races there. I figured I had my last race at Long Beach in 2008 and now low and behold I’m back again a celebrity race. I can’t get Long Beach out of my blood.”

Drivers competed in identically-prepared Scion tCs in the 10-lap race that benefited Racing for Kids (a $5,000 donation in the name of each celebrity participant) plus $5,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. On behalf of the race and its participants, Toyota has donated more than $1.8 million to various children's hospitals since 1991.

Also, a $15,000 donation was made in conjunction with the 13th annual "PEOPLE Pole Award."  Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award honors the pole winner from the April 16 qualifying session (Vasser).

Joining Vasser in the Pro category were 2009 Celebrity winner Keanu Reeves, Steve Millen (1986 and ’88 Toyota MTEG champion and 1992 and ’94 IMSA GT champion), Jamie Bestwick (X Games athlete) and Marty Nothstein (Funny Car driver, professional road bicycle racer and track cyclist). Nothstein finished fourth overall.

Other celebrities participating included: Megyn Price ("Rules of Engagement"), Jesse McCartney (musician/singer), Adam Carolla (DJ, "Loveline"), Christian Slater (“True Romance,” “Broken Arrow”), Tony Hawk (pro skateboarder), Tika Sumpter ("One Life to Live"), and Patrick Warburton ("Rules of Engagement,” "Seinfeld").

The Southern California Toyota Dealer seat was filled by Chris Ashworth, Vice President & Partner of Toyota of North Hollywood. Rounding out the field were charity auction winners Jerry Westlund and Dave Pasant, who each won the opportunity to race in exchange for donations they made in two different charity auctions.