Elgin men come up short in charity contest

Two Elgin men who were up for an award of up to $1 million through a NASCAR-related contest have came up short.

Rick Schar and Roy Engstrom were among the 10 finalists for the Lenox Extra Mile Hero award, which recognized people who helped their communities.

The award, determined by a Web vote, was given out Monday at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Lenox Industrial Tools 301 race in New Hampshire. Michigan's Pete Dingeman won for his efforts in helping children with tumors.

Schar was nominated for his help building a special house in Rolling Meadows for his nephew Bryan Anderson, the Iraq war veteran who lost his legs and left arm in a roadside bombing in Baghdad.

Engstrom, a longtime volunteer in Bartlett, helps children who are vision- and hearing-impaired with Bartlett's Lions Club, and worked with Bartlett's Little League.

The winner receives $31,000, with another $31,000 going to his charity of choice.

If NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, a Lenox spokesman, had won the race, the winner would have received $500,000, with another $500,000 going to the winner's charity. Burton placed 31st.