Lincoln Electric is a sponsor of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, which designs and builds racing sleds for the U.S. bobsled teams.

A cavalcade of celebrity drivers from the NASCAR, NHRA and other auto racing circuits came to Lake Placid, NY, last month for the fifth annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering.

NHRA driver Melanie Troxel outraced Jeg Coughlin Jr., also a NHRA driver, by 0.07 of a second to win one of the two morning circuits. A second series was won by 2009 NASCAR Rookie of the Year Joey Logano. The two winners faced off in the afternoon final, which Logano one by 0.27 of a second, in a time of 49.81.

At this year's event, the 10 competing drivers were backed up by Army National Guard reservists who acted as their brakemen.

Since 1992, longtime NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine has been working to use NASCAR design skill and technology to develop U.S.-built bobsleds that will outrace European-made sleds.

Lincoln Electric welders have been used to design and fabricate all of the organization's bobsleds for the U.S. team, including the bobsled from the U.S. four-man team that won the World Championships in 2009. Lincoln’s equipment was used as well to build sleds that U.S. racers will drive in competition at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, starting February 12 in Vancouver.

Lincoln also branded one of the bobsleds used in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, and all of the bobsleds carried Lincoln insignia.

The January 8-10 event at Lake Placid also raised money for the U.S. Olympic Bobsled team.