Earlier this month, the bidding closed on the helmet worn by Patrick Carpentier during the April 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, and the proceeds, almost $2,000, were donated to the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Charity Cars Campaign. The www.ebay.com auction opened May 2 with fans starting an early bidding war to own a piece of NASCAR history. The helmet, a one-of-a-kind scheme, was worn by Carpentier as he took the wheel of the No. 9 Auto Value Dodge in the aftermarket giant’s first international racing appearance at the Autodromo in Mexico City. By joining forces with The Original 1-800-Charity Cars (501-C-3) in a massive project to seek, secure, and refurbish vehicles to be presented to qualified recipients, the Charity Cars goal is reach 1,000 donated vehicles by the end of 2008. “We’ve been asking our customers and their neighbors for vehicle donations but while not everyone has a car to give they still want to help and cash donations are just as important for a program this size,” says Steve Marks, senior vice president, advertising/marketing for Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper. “By holding this ebay auction everybody wins!” | 
