Charitable organizations that assist wounded American veterans received unexpectedly large windfalls Thursday at the Barrett-Jackson classic car auctions here, with help from the prominent motorsports figures Roger Penske and Mario Andretti.
Mr. Penske’s racing team auctioned off a Dodge Charger campaigned by the driver Brad Keselowski in the 2010 Nascar Nationwide Series.
The vehicle, which Mr. Penske said was restored to full racing trim, was sold for $250,000 to Sean Jordan of La Habra, Calif.
“I thought it would go for about $100,000,” Mr. Keselowski said. “I’m blown away.”
As the bidding ended, Bruce Halle, the chief executive of Scottsdale-based Discount Tire, told the auctioneer he would match Mr. Jordan’s winning bid, with a donation of $250,000 to the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization.
The losing bidder, George Deigh, said he would contribute an additional $100,000 to the vets, several of whom appeared onstage in their wheelchairs. The magnanimity gave the Dodge a total haul of $600,000.
| 
|