Three-peat, for 2nd

By ROCKET SPORTS and ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK on March 1, 2013

The Rocket Sports & Entertainment Network team with the 2nd place podium appearance. Left to Right: Rick Sassone, Jack Hawksworth, Jonatan Jorge, Wendy Eckhardt and Travis Failey. (photo by: Chole Henry / UNation)

Palmetto, Fla.– Once again a great time was had by all at the Media Day Kart Race at Anderson Race Park in Palmetto on Wednesday. But once again the Rocket Sports & Entertainment Network team finished second. Now all three years a second place finished. “I feel like the Buffalo Bills of the Media Kart World! But seriously, this is such a great way to get the Indy Car season started, I feel privileged to be part of it for a third year in a row,” Said Rick Sassone of Rocket Sports & Entertainment Network. “It’s a great way for us members of the media to bond with professional race car drivers. I love the Grand Prix of St. Pete,” Sassone continued.

It is all fun and games but it always seems to turn out competitive.

The day was hi-lighted by the announcement that the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has partnered with Wish for Our Heroes, a national military charity. The goal of this partnership is to send our “Real Heroes, Our Military Heroes” to the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The first set of donated tickets were presented to U.S. Army Specialist Charles Lemon, a double amputee combat veteran and resident of St. Petersburg.

Then Indy Car driver Alex Tagliani took the podium and announced he was donating his helmet to auctioned off for the charity.

“I’m using the helmet quite a bit for donation, charity and things like that…and what he (Lemon) does for us it’s the least we can do.” Tagliani said at Anderson Race Park on Wednesday. ”I think a helmet is a piece that is very rare and they are very expensive. If we get the right buyer and the right people to donate at least they get something for it like a nice souvenir.”

Indy Car driver Alex Tagliani shares with the media at Andersen Race Park yesterday he will be donating his helmet to charity. (photo: Rick Sassone / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

Rocket Sports & Entertainment Network would like to send out a special thank you to professional driver Jack Hawksworth and professional coach Jonatan Jorge for being part of the team. Hawksworth is currently is the Mazda Road to Indy circuit and will racing in the Indy Lights Series with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

To learn more about the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, visit gpstpete.com

Since 2009, over 1,300 wishes have been granted to military heroes. www.wish4ourheroes.org

Enjoy our day in photos:

U.S. Army Specialist Charles Lemon (photo: Rick Sassone / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

Wendy Eckhardt, Jack Hawksworth and Travis Failey (photo: Rick Sassone / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

Indy Car driver Justin Wilson was also in attendance (photo: Rick Sassone / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

John Thomas with ABC Action News (Left) chats with VP and GM of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Pete Tim Ramsberger (photo: Rick Sassone / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

The Fabulous Sports Babe and Travis Failey chat for a moment while the 98.7 The Fan crew looks on. Roller Girl, Monika and Brooks Roland. (photo: Rick Sassone / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

Jack Hawksworth (left) and Rick Sassone get ready to race (photo: Wendy Eckhardt / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

Start your engines, well soon enough! Left to Right: Jack Hawksworth, Rick Sassone, Jonatan Jorge and Travis Failey (photo: Wendy Eckhardt / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

Jack Hawksworth (in car) and Jonatan Jorge make the crucial driver change while Travis and Rick look like they are helping (photo: Wendy Eckhardt / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)

That’s it Rick, work the Indy Car drivers Alex Tagliani (black shirt) and Justin Wilson for some last minute tips (photo: Wendy Eckhardt / Rocket Sports & Entertainment)