2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman hosts star-studded events to raise money for good causes.

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<p>Ice sculptures greet attendees - including celebs from NASCAR and the Bassmaster Elite Series - at the Ryan Newman Foundation's 8th Annual Charity Dinner and Auction. The event kicked off the two-day 7th Annual Charity Fishing Tournament in Statesville, N.C.</p>
Ice sculptures greet attendees – including celebs from NASCAR and the Bassmaster Elite Series – at the Ryan Newman Foundation’s 8th Annual Charity Dinner and Auction. The event kicked off the two-day 7th Annual Charity Fishing Tournament in Statesville, N.C.
<p>Up for auction at the charity event were items like this signed Kevin VanDam jersey. </p>
Up for auction at the charity event were items like this signed Kevin VanDam jersey. 
<p>Ryan Newman also donated some NASCAR attire to his foundation, which raises money to educate children and adults about the importance of conservation, encourage pet population control through spaying/neutering and shelter adoption, and for scholarships for students interested in auto racing careers.</p>
Ryan Newman also donated some NASCAR attire to his foundation, which raises money to educate children and adults about the importance of conservation, encourage pet population control through spaying/neutering and shelter adoption, and for scholarships for students interested in auto racing careers.
<p>Ryan Newman (right) shares a laugh with Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam.</p>
Ryan Newman (right) shares a laugh with Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam.
<p>Newman and VanDam pose with Elite pro Davy Hite.</p>
Newman and VanDam pose with Elite pro Davy Hite.
<p>Actor James Best at the 2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Annual Charity Dinner and Auction.</p>
Actor James Best at the 2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Annual Charity Dinner and Auction.
<p>Nashville recording artists Eric Paslay and Tim Dugger provided entertainment. </p>
Nashville recording artists Eric Paslay and Tim Dugger provided entertainment. 
<p>Outdoor Channel host Mark Zona and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart were in attendance.</p>
Outdoor Channel host Mark Zona and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart were in attendance.
<p>Anglers arrive at Blythe Landing on Lake Norman in Huntersville, N.C., the following morning to compete in the 7th Annual Ryan Norman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament.</p>
Anglers arrive at Blythe Landing on Lake Norman in Huntersville, N.C., the following morning to compete in the 7th Annual Ryan Norman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament.
<p>James Nunn backs boat with partner Brent Long into the water at Lake Norman.</p>
James Nunn backs boat with partner Brent Long into the water at Lake Norman.
<p>Anglers disperse into the lake as the tournament gets underway.</p>
Anglers disperse into the lake as the tournament gets underway.
<p>The sponsor and V.I.P. luncheon also took place on Lake Norman.</p>
The sponsor and V.I.P. luncheon also took place on Lake Norman.
<p>Prizes included cash awards, trolling motors, GPS systems, depth finders, rod and reel combos, gift cards and more with a value totaling over $60,000.</p>
Prizes included cash awards, trolling motors, GPS systems, depth finders, rod and reel combos, gift cards and more with a value totaling over $60,000.
<p>Trophies and cash were awarded to the top 12 spots with the 13th as a consolation prize. Three additional $500 prizes were given for top husband and wife, senior citizen and adult and child teams.</p>
Trophies and cash were awarded to the top 12 spots with the 13th as a consolation prize. Three additional $500 prizes were given for top husband and wife, senior citizen and adult and child teams.
<p>KVD chats with a fan while signing his autograph.</p>
KVD chats with a fan while signing his autograph.
<p>Newman and Zona discuss the upcoming weigh-in, which Zona would emcee with VanDam.</p>
Newman and Zona discuss the upcoming weigh-in, which Zona would emcee with VanDam.
<p>The anglers return to Blythe Landing to weigh-in. Rick Dunstan holds the bag while partner Cliff Kirby adds a Lake Norman bass.</p>
The anglers return to Blythe Landing to weigh-in. Rick Dunstan holds the bag while partner Cliff Kirby adds a Lake Norman bass.
<p>Dunstan and Kirby would finish in 2nd overall with 12-12.</p>
Dunstan and Kirby would finish in 2nd overall with 12-12.
<p>The second and final day of the charity tournament commenced.</p>
The second and final day of the charity tournament commenced.
<p>The next five images are of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. and partner Aaron Switzer on the water at Lake Norman.</p>
The next five images are of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. and partner Aaron Switzer on the water at Lake Norman.
<p>Richard Owen (left) and Billy Shelton find something to chuckle about.</p>
Richard Owen (left) and Billy Shelton find something to chuckle about.
<p>Davy Hite had an unexpected spectator.</p>
Davy Hite had an unexpected spectator.
<p>Hite puts on a show as partner Maurice Freeze grabs the net.</p>
Hite puts on a show as partner Maurice Freeze grabs the net.
<p>Freeze abandons the net for his rod as Hite waves his small catch for the camera.</p>
Freeze abandons the net for his rod as Hite waves his small catch for the camera.
<p>Bobby Rakes hooks up while Keith Sayers readies the net.</p>
Bobby Rakes hooks up while Keith Sayers readies the net.
<p>Rakes' and Sayers' teamwork pays off. </p>
Rakes’ and Sayers’ teamwork pays off. 
<p>It's time to cull for Owen and Shelton.</p>
It’s time to cull for Owen and Shelton.
<p>Anglers talk about their day as they head back for the final weigh-in.</p>
Anglers talk about their day as they head back for the final weigh-in.
<p>Boats check in with spectacular Lake Norman homes situated behind them.</p>
Boats check in with spectacular Lake Norman homes situated behind them.
<p>Anglers anxiously wait at the holding tanks for their turn on the weigh-in stage.</p>
Anglers anxiously wait at the holding tanks for their turn on the weigh-in stage.
<p>Eli Pope fished with dad Roger.</p>
Eli Pope fished with dad Roger.
<p>Tracy Adams, who won the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 on Lake Norman back in April, took a 5th place finish with 11-14.</p>
Tracy Adams, who won the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2 on Lake Norman back in April, took a 5th place finish with 11-14.
<p>Hank Cherry finished 8th with a two-day total weight of 10-12.</p>
Hank Cherry finished 8th with a two-day total weight of 10-12.
<p>Travis Rulle put together a 16-4 stringer over two days to win the 2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament.</p>
Travis Rulle put together a 16-4 stringer over two days to win the 2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament.
<p>Travis Rulle and partner Don Rulle hold their first place trophies and claim the grand prize - a 2012 Nitro Z9 boat equipped with a motor and electronics. </p>
Travis Rulle and partner Don Rulle hold their first place trophies and claim the grand prize – a 2012 Nitro Z9 boat equipped with a motor and electronics.