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NASCAR Driver Taylor Barton to Launch Inaugural Celebrity Poker Tournament

Champion NASCAR driver Taylor Barton will host a celebrity poker tournament for charity. The tournament, which will be held at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Dec. 4, will benefit the Taylor Barton Foundation, which focuses on stopping bullying in America’s schools, as well as Children Mending Hearts, which assists homeless and at-risk youth around the world.

Barton has invited some of his fellow NASCAR drivers and celebrity friends to join him for the kick-off event, which will also host many poker pros and more than 400 other guests.

Tournament participants will partake in a night of poker and attend an after party at the Palms Casino Resort. Tournament prizes will include:

• 1st place: A seat at 2011 World Series of Poker, sponsored by Lord Griffon Jewelry.
• 2nd place: Two nights’ accommodation at the Palms Casino Resort with dinner for two, massage at spa, and VIP entrance to Palms Casino Resort nightclubs (includes $1,000 for airfare).
• 3rd place: World Series of BBQ (2011) and two nights at Golden Nugget with two VIP invitations to Howard and Suzie Lederer Annual Charity Poker Tournament (seats to tournament included) and after party.

Sponsors for this event are Lord Griffon Jewelry, Anheuser- Busch, Vitamin Water/Smart Water, LV Mini Gran Prix, US Foods, Seven & Company, Johnny Brenden – Brenden Mann Foundation, Gecko Signs, Palms Casino Resort, On Target Media, Taylor Barton Racing and Krome Vodka.

The tournament will benefit the Taylor Barton Foundation, which works to combat bullying in local schools, as well as Children Mending Hearts and the After School All Stars, which provides free comprehensive out of school programs for “at-risk” children in Las Vegas. Programs are designed to keep kids safe and help them achieve in school and in life. The event is anticipated to host more than 400 participants and will include a red carpet for celebrities and private after party at Ghostbar inside Palms Casino Resort.

In addition to raising funds at the tournament, Children Mending Hearts will utilize some of its current inventory of online auction items found at www.charitybuzz.com.

Buy in for the tournament is $330. Additional information on the tournament can be found at www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/taylorbartonpoker.com or at http://www.facebook.com/taylorbartonracing.