In its first two years, Racers for Autism raised more than $100,000 for the Autism Society of America.
“We would never have expected that,” Ben Hodgin noted. “No way. We really had no clue what we were all doing, but we knew it had the chance to make a huge difference … and it has.”
Now, going into its fifth edition, the event has raised more than $430,000 for autism awareness, acceptance and support.
This year, for the first time, the event’s proceeds will benefit Today’s Champions — Empowering Those With Autism, a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization created by the Hodgin family to honor the friendship between Clauson and Ben William and continue the mission of increasing autism awareness.
“Everything about our charity is a genuine reflection of what Ben and Bryan’s friendship was built on,” explained Beth Hodgin. “Our goal is to positively affect and help local families affected by autism spectrum disorder and to educate as much as we can, as well. We want to make as much of a difference as we can on a community level and help to get funds to those around us who need them the most.”
Racers for Autism returns to its original venue this year — Cain’s Ballroom at 423 North Main Street in Tulsa — from 6-11 p.m. Sunday night. Blake Anderson, the voice of the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions, will be the emcee alongside special guests Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu and Conor Daly.
CURB Records recording artist Tim Dugger will be this year’s featured performer.
“It’s really been an amazing progression that’s taken place with this event,” recalled Ben Hodgin. “We’re just amazed by the amount of support that this event has received and how it has grown. We’ve got Tim Dugger, a CURB Records recording artist, performing this year … who would have expected that?
“This has become something beyond what we could have ever imagined, but we’re just so grateful and so humbled.”
Even after Clauson’s passing in 2016, his impact on Hodgin’s life has remained clear and his legacy continues to live on.
“Everything that Bryan touched throughout his life, he had this way of turning it to gold … but he always did it in this humble and quiet way because it wasn’t about drawing any attention to him. That was just who Bryan was,” she continued. “We feel like this event embodies that quality about Bryan and we’re honored as a family to be able to help extend that footprint even further.”
Clauson’s imprint in this case is all thanks to the special friendship with a high school comrade that he built the foundation for years ago.
“When you’re the parent of any child with autism, you just pray that one day, they’ll know what a real friendship is like,” said Beth Hodgin. “Ben has been so fortunate to have two of those … and one of those was Bryan. They shared passions for statistics and racing, and that has always been a blessing.
“Those kinds of friendships come around once in a lifetime, but this one didn’t just change Ben William’s life, it has gone on to change the lives of so many others along with it. That’s the true blessing.”
