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.
Up for auction at the charity event were items like this signed Kevin VanDam jersey.
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.
Ryan Newman (right) shares a laugh with Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam.
Newman and VanDam pose with Elite pro Davy Hite.
Actor James Best at the 2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Annual Charity Dinner and Auction.
Nashville recording artists Eric Paslay and Tim Dugger provided entertainment.
Outdoor Channel host Mark Zona and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart were in attendance.
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.
James Nunn backs boat with partner Brent Long into the water at Lake Norman.
Anglers disperse into the lake as the tournament gets underway.
The sponsor and V.I.P. luncheon also took place on Lake Norman.
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.
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.
KVD chats with a fan while signing his autograph.
Newman and Zona discuss the upcoming weigh-in, which Zona would emcee with VanDam.
The anglers return to Blythe Landing to weigh-in. Rick Dunstan holds the bag while partner Cliff Kirby adds a Lake Norman bass.
Dunstan and Kirby would finish in 2nd overall with 12-12.
The second and final day of the charity tournament commenced.
The next five images are of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. and partner Aaron Switzer on the water at Lake Norman.
Richard Owen (left) and Billy Shelton find something to chuckle about.
Davy Hite had an unexpected spectator.
Hite puts on a show as partner Maurice Freeze grabs the net.
Freeze abandons the net for his rod as Hite waves his small catch for the camera.
Bobby Rakes hooks up while Keith Sayers readies the net.
Rakes' and Sayers' teamwork pays off.
It's time to cull for Owen and Shelton.
Anglers talk about their day as they head back for the final weigh-in.
Boats check in with spectacular Lake Norman homes situated behind them.
Anglers anxiously wait at the holding tanks for their turn on the weigh-in stage.
Eli Pope fished with dad Roger.
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.
Hank Cherry finished 8th with a two-day total weight of 10-12.
Travis Rulle put together a 16-4 stringer over two days to win the 2012 Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament.
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.
