LONG BEACH, Calif.,
April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --TV host
Mark Steines is making his fourth
return to the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, and professional
handicapper Anthony Curtis thinks
this might be his winning year. Steines, host of the Hallmark
Channel's "Home & Family," and past "Entertainment Tonight"
personality, is one of 19 participants who will race in the
prestigious 10-lap charitable event on April
20 as part of the 39th annual Toyota Grand Prix
of Long Beach.
Curtis is president of LasVegasAdvisor.com and one of the
world's most recognized gambling authorities. For the past six
years, Curtis has bench-marked Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
participants by watching training exercises and drawing on his
knowledge of the famed 1.97-mile circuit through Long Beach, Calif. streets. Steines' 6-1 odds
are the longest for a favorite since Curtis began evaluating the
field, and they are closely followed by the handicapping on actor
Michael Trucco, racing analyst
Rutledge Wood, motocross champion Andy
Bell and philanthropist Carter
Lay. All participants will drive 210-horsepower Scion FR-S
race vehicles.
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is the longest-running, corporate
sponsored event of its kind and benefits Racing for Kids, a
national fundraising program supporting U.S. children's hospitals.
Since 1991, Toyota has donated more than $2
million on behalf of this race and its participants.
Last year, Curtis gave comedian Adam
Carolla an early advantage in the race and the funny
podcaster sped beyond them to win the race overall, even beating
out the four professional drivers. This year, Carolla will race as
a professional, but his odds are 12-1 due to the challenge that all
professional participants face starting slightly behind the
celebrities.
"This year's odds structure paints a picture of a wide-open race
with several skilled celebrities challenging the pro drivers for
the win," Curtis said. "Watching all the challengers in action
gives me insight into who is ready for the adrenaline rush of race
day and who needs more practice. In the end, the celebrities and
pros alike play an important role in supporting the charitable goal
of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race."
Curtis's exclusive expert predictions are solely for
entertainment purposes on www.lasvegasadvisor.com. The full list of
racers' odds are as follows:
|
Celebrities
|
|
|
Mark
Steines (6-1)
|
It's been
eight years since the Emmy award-winning journalist and TV host
tried for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race trophy. He was looking
strong at training and maybe the past attempts will give Steines an
edge over the competition.
|
|
|
Michael
Trucco (7-1)
|
Back for a
second time, the actor of "Battlestar Galactica" fame loved the
FR-S during training. Trucco will need to drive the sports car at
his best to earn a spot in the winner's circle.
|
|
|
Rutledge Wood (8-1)
|
Another
second-time racer, the racing commentator has both analyzed drivers
and driven at high speeds. Can he combine the knowledge and edge
out the other racers?
|
|
|
Jesse
Metcalfe (11-1)
|
The
"Dallas" actor may be a race rookie, but he learned to drive a
NASCAR racecar for his television role. Metcalfe's fans will no
doubt be cheering for him to take home the prize.
|
|
|
Kate
del Castillo (11-1)
|
The
acclaimed Mexican actress is back again, with significantly
improved odds over last year's 24-1. She'll need to continue her
upward momentum and add some fiery passion from her movie roles to
win.
|
|
|
Dakota
Meyer (15-1)
|
Familiar
with staying calm under pressure, the Medal of Honor recipient will
need to rely on quick-thinking and driving to edge out the other
racers.
|
|
|
Jeremy
Sisto (16-1)
|
The
"Suburgatory" star displayed lots of focus during training, but
Sisto will need to dig deeper to finish strong in this star-studded
competition.
|
|
|
Jessica
Hardy (18-1)
|
The
swimmer and Olympic medalist showed her competitive spirit and
drive at training, but she must increase her pace if she's going
for Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race gold in her hometown of Long Beach,
Calif.
|
|
|
Brett
Davern (18-1)
|
He may
star in MTV's hit series "Awkward," but Davern showed track poise
and a commitment to learning every technique. He'll need to
overcome his inexperience to claim a victory.
|
|
|
Jackson
Rathbone (19-1)
|
His role
in the hit "Twilight" movie series may have earned him devoted
vampire-loving fans, but the competition is alive and kicking on
all sides of him.
|
|
|
Jenna
Elfman (27-1)
|
The funny
"1600 Penn" actress couldn't wait to get behind the wheel in
training. Elfman will likely finish with a smile if she can beat
out a few other celebrities.
|
|
|
Wanda
Sykes (38-1)
|
The Emmy
award-winning comedian had ready jokes and fun during training, but
she'll need to pick up the speed if she wants the last
laugh.
|
|
|
The
Southern California Toyota dealer seat is being filled by Glenn
Faber, partner and general manager of Los Angeles area Keyes
Toyota. Also in this year's race are charity auction winners Dave
Pasant and Carter Lay.
|
|
|
Carter
Lay (8-1)
|
With a
love of sports cars and desire to do good, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity
Race is the perfect fit for the philanthropist and LAY'S® chips
heir. Can he translate it to a win?
|
|
|
Dave
Pasant (9-1)
|
Participating for his fifth time, this retired
insurance executive has lots of experience with the race. Pasant
looked strong in training and may surprise the crowd.
|
|
|
Glenn
Faber (17-1)
|
This
Toyota dealer knows all about cars but will need to push the FR-S
to its limits to stay competitive on race day.
|
|
|
The
celebrity field gets a 25-second head start on the professional
drivers. This year's diverse racing group includes drivers from
several different types of roads.
|
|
|
Andy
Bell (8-1)
|
The
motocross champion and MTV's "Nitro Circus" star has earned
Guinness Book World Records and made death-defying stunts look
easy. Will Bell's daredevil driving land him on top of the
podium?
|
|
|
Tyler
Clary (10-1)
|
The
Olympic gold medal swimmer has begun a second career in racing,
bringing his athlete intensity and dedication. Can he triumph on
the track?
|
|
|
Adam
Carolla (12-1)
|
Funnyman
Carolla won last year's race as a celebrity but faces stiff
competition as a pro. Can he keep everyone laughing and come out
ahead?
|
|
|
Melanie
Troxel (12-1)
|
The
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) driver has set records driving
at speeds above 300 mph but must transition to the curves and style
of this race. If she can adapt, she may take the prize.
|
"Each year, Anthony Curtis's
predications add another level of friendly competition to this
charitable race event," said Les
Unger, Toyota's national motorsports manager. "Our drivers
push themselves to beat the odds, bringing fans a great performance
and benefiting sick kids who need the support."
Each year Toyota donates $5,000 to
Racing for Kids on behalf of each participant and another
$5,000 to the winning racer's charity
of choice. A $15,000 donation
accompanies the annual People Pole Award, the People
magazine–sponsored award honoring the pole-position qualifying
session winner on April 19.
To learn more about the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, go to
www.toyotaracing.com, visit Toyota Racing on Facebook or on Twitter
@ToyotaRacing, or join the conversation with the participants using
#TPCR.
NOTE: Celebrity odds are provided for entertainment purposes
only. Wagering on the outcome of the race is neither encouraged nor
implied.
ABOUT ANTHONY
CURTIS
Anthony Curtis
is one of the world's most recognized and quoted gambling
authorities. The president of LasVegasAdvisor.com, he has appeared
as a casino expert on "Dateline NBC," "48 Hours," A&E, E!
Entertainment, Discovery, the Travel Channel, the Food Channel and
the Learning Channel. He has been the subject of articles in
The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, San Diego Union-Tribune, Los
Angeles Times Magazine, Los
Angeles Times, Arthur
Frommer's Budget Travel and Discover magazine.
Curtis is author of Bargain City—Booking, Betting and Beating
the New Las Vegas and The Art of Gambling Through the
Ages. Considered one of the world's foremost experts in
tournament play, Curtis's top tournament wins include $76,000 in the World Matchplay Blackjack
Championship, $125,000 in the
Atlantic City Craps Championship, $50,000 in the Las Vegas Keno Championship and
$60,000 in the Las Vegas Blackjack
Championship.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations
in the United States in 1957 and
currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs
over 31,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued
at more than $23 billion, including
sales and manufacturing operations, research and development,
financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the
communities where it does business and believes in supporting
programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports
numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education,
the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed
nearly $700 million to philanthropic
programs in the U.S.
For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving
communities nationwide, visit
http://www.toyota.com/philanthropy.
CONTACT:
Les Unger
Toyota
Racing
310-468-4709
les_unger@toyota.com
Erika Romero
Toyota Racing
310-468-3948
erika_romero@toyota.com
Rebecca
Lee
GolinHarris for
Toyota
213-438-8827
rlee@golinharris.com
Sharon Noot
Noot Incorporated
714-527-7735
sharon@nootinc.com
SOURCE Toyota