LONG BEACH, CA (BDCi TV) – – History Channel series “Top Gear USA” and Fox Sports/SPEED racing commentator Rutledge Wood won the 2013 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Saturday as part of the weekend festivities surrounding the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
While Wood won the “celebrity” category, comedian and co-creator of “The Man Show” Adam Carolla won the “pro” category of the race. For Carolla, this marks the second year straight that he is a pro/celebrity race winner.
“I started amongst the Pros — last overall. Those guys are great drivers and I’m sure if we did this 10 more times, someone else would win it at least nine-and-a-half of them”, Carolla said after the race on the podium.
The race featured famous U.S. actors including Jenna Elfman, comedic actress Wanda Sykes and HBO’s Six Feet Under standout Jeremy Sisto.
Mexican actress Kate del Castillo was the best woman finisher, placing 10th amongst all the drivers.
But not everyone there was an commentator, actor or comedian. Also competing was one Dakota Meyer, a former marine and medal of honor winner for bravery in the Afghanistan War. Meyer had the most amusing ride of all the contestants when his Scion FR-S spun out in lap 8, causing him to drop back and finish 4th.
Toyota donated $90,000 to the charity Racing With Kids and $5,000 to Wood’s charity of choice Victory Junction. People magazine also kicked in $15,000 to Wood’s Victory Junction charity.