Race fans, join Curt Cavin for Friday's Carb Night Burger Bash

For the eighth consecutive year, the Carb Night Burger Bash will be held – you guessed it – on Carb Night, which this month is Friday, May 22.

The free, family-oriented event co-hosted by Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee will again be held at 96th Street Steakburgers, 4715 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis. It begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and continues until no gas is left in the tank, which usually is after 10 p.m.

The event is designed to bring people closer to the Indianapolis 500 while supporting less-fortunate people in our community. Surprise guests are expected. IndyCar drivers Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan, Johnny Rutherford, Arie Luyendyk, Simona De Silvestro, Ed Carpenter, Justin Wilson, Alex Tagliani, Pippa Mann, Conor Daly, Katherine Legge, Takuma Sato and Jack Hawksworth are among those who have attended past Burger Bashes.

Burgers, milkshakes and assorted other food items will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the chosen charities. Arrive early to be positioned for the live show, a portion of which will air on 1070 the Fan from 7-9 p.m.

There will be many giveaways and auction items. IndyStar, 96th Street Steakburgers, 1070 the Fan, Firestone, Chevrolet, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway are among the groups supporting this year's event.

Over the first seven years, more than $100,000 has gone to assisting children with hearing issues. This year's plan is to support Tatum's Bags of Fun, a local program inspired by Tatum Parker, who at age 6 was diagnosed with cancer. While hospitalized, Tatum received a bag of toys and games to distract her from unpleasant chemotherapy sessions, and she later decided to pay the kindness forward by bringing the program to Indianapolis. Her program now helps 300 children a year.

This Carb Night Burger Bash also will support pursuit of a cure for Huntington's disease, a cruel disease plaguing one of Indiana's all-time great and popular drivers, John Paul Jr. The two-time IndyCar race winner is giving of his time, energy and body to the research at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, and he is so excited to have his cause represented at this year's event.

Again, the Burger Bash is free and for all ages. The Firestone tire at the edge of the stage will be for donations.

Follow Curt Cavin on Twitter: @curtcavin