NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

A host of future drag racers, including many of the stars of the popular Baby Walker and Toddler Tricycle Nationals, are proving this weekend that you’re never too young to begin helping those who are less fortunate.

On Sunday, during the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Indianapolis Raceway Park, the daughters of several prominent racers and officials will be dispensing drinks from the Princess Pink Lemonade Stand and donating the proceeds to Riley Children’s Hospital.

Built by Torrence Racing crew chief Bobby Lagana Jr. and friends, the Princess Pink Lemonade Stand will be open in the Capco compound in the nitro pits from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Sunday with drinks served up by 10 young ladies, ages 2 to 7, including Avery Michalek, the 3-year-old daughter of Top Alcohol driver Corey Michalek, who originated the idea, and his wife, Christine.

The other hostesses include Haven Charli Torrence, 3, daughter of four-time Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence and his wife, Natalie, and granddaughter of Billy and “Momma Kay” Torrence; Sofia and Elia Arana, 5 and 2, respectively, daughters of 15-time Pro Stock Motorcycle event winner Hector Arana Jr. and his wife, Nicole, and granddaughters of 2009 series champion Hector Sr.; and Jenna Bland, 2, daughter of supercharger maintenance technician Cody Bland and his wife, NHRA Media and Marketing Relations Manager Allie. 

Also, Londyn Hart, 4, daughter of two-time Top Fuel winner Josh Hart and his wife, Brittanie; Aubrey Coughlin, 3, daughter of 2024 Epping Pro Stock winner Troy Coughlin Jr. and his wife, Brenna; Vera Wilkerson, 7, daughter of Funny Car driver Daniel Wilkerson and his wife, Brianne, and granddaughter of two-time U.S. Nationals champion Tim and his wife, Krista; Olivia Martin, 6, daughter of Torrence Racing cylinder head and short-block specialist Kris Martin and his wife, Amanda; and Sophia Gutierrez, 4, daughter of Top Alcohol Dragster driver J.P. Gutierrez and his wife, Kara.

Natalie Torrence, owner of Innovative Creation Experts, the company responsible for bringing the Princess Pink Lemonade Stand concept to fruition, said she hopes the project “ignites the entrepreneurial spirit in each of these young ladies and teaches them the importance of hard work and creativity.

“All the families involved in the Princess Pink Lemonade Stand are excited to be able to participate in this unconventional philanthropic fundraiser,” Torrence said.  “We hope to continue to teach our children the importance of caring for others and that hard work can also be fun.”