McCall hosts 'Strokes for Progress' benefit

TAYLOR, S.C. -- For Lee McCall, one day away from the race shop is worth it for a cause very close to his heart.

Lee McCall and son prepare to take on Pebble Creek.

McCall, crew chief for the No. 40 Chip Ganassi Racing team, and his family hosted the third annual “Strokes for Progress” memorial golf tournament at the Pebble Creek Golf Course in Taylor, S.C., on Monday. All proceeds benefited the Duke Brain Treatment Research Center at Duke University.

“I put this together because my dad, Melvin McCall, passed away from a brain tumor three years ago,” McCall said. “The people at Duke were really good to my dad and they kept him alive for ten months and I felt like we owed them something.

“The first year we started out kind of small and raised about $9,000 and last year we were able to increase it to $21,000. This year, we're shooting for around $30,000 - $40,000 to donate to Duke.”

Coors Light was one of many corporate sponsors that donated to the tournament.

Sterling Marlin has some fun on the greens.

Fifty-seven four-man teams played in the tournament. Notable names taking part were Marlin and Busch Series driver Jason Keller fresh off his win at Nazareth on Sunday.

Also taking part were two different groups of crew members from Marlin’s team and the No. 40 Ganassi team of Jimmy Spencer. McCall said that the tournament fell at a good time, and day away from the shop wouldn't be detrimental because the team is pretty caught up on their work right now.

In addition to the golf and fellowship, there was an auction for participants to bid on memorabilia. Besides the Ganassi Racing teams, other NASCAR teams donated sheet metal, signed pictures and other mementos for the bidding.

“I have had huge support through the NASCAR family with donations and items drivers donated,” McCall said. “That’s what makes our golf tournament is the auction. For those guys to take time to give something really important that can raise a lot of money, is just great.

“Again, everything goes out to those guys who make this all possible.”