NASCAR Fans Commit More than 10,000 Hours to Help Those in Need

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 30, 2009) – Thousands of NASCAR fans across the country came out to support The NASCAR Foundation throughout the year, enabling the Foundation to raise and contribute $1.8 million in program services to nonprofit organizations across the country. A majority of the contributions went to affect the lives of children and families in need, especially in the areas of pediatric health, fulfilling “NASCAR Dreams,” education and community service.
The Foundation saw an increase in volunteer participation this year, in part due to a strong emphasis placed on community service through The NASCAR Foundation Volunteer Network – 10,000 NASCAR fans involved in community service projects. Record numbers of people came out to serve in their community this year, committing more than 10,000 hours to help those in need, including potentially saving 15,000 lives through The NASCAR Foundation Fourth Annual Blood Drive, raising enough funds to provide 250,000 meals to children and their families, raising awareness at the track about the importance of screening for breast cancer and collecting funds at the track that would enable over 150 kids to attend Victory Junction camp in Randleman, N.C.
“Thanks to the loyal fans of our sport, The NASCAR Foundation continues to fulfill – and exceed – our original vision for the organization,” said Foundation Chairperson Betty Jane France. “To be able to engage so many fans and to provide such a large amount in contributions is both exciting and gratifying. The Foundation is doing important work … meaningful work. We are extremely grateful for the fans’ support which makes that work possible.”
More than $350,000 was contributed this year to organizations with an emphasis on pediatric health, including pediatric cancer and trauma research. The work being done by organizations like The Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital, the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma and Speediatrics is critical to helping children live longer and fuller lives.
The NASCAR Foundation also worked throughout the year to provide life changing experiences and educational opportunities for young people at the track. Throughout the season the Foundation worked with organizations to bring more than 400 kids to the track to get an inside glimpse to the sport, its personalities and learn about the engineering that goes in to putting a stock car on the track every weekend.
One of these groups was students from Phillip O. Berry High School in Charlotte, N.C. Through a NASCAR Day program, The NASCAR Foundation brought students from the school out to the track in May for a tour and meet and greet with 2009 NASCAR Day spokesperson Kevin Costner.
“The exposure that our kids got at the track really has motivated some kids to focus on their technical educational because now they see that if they can do what they need to do academically, then these doors will be open for them,” said Donald Fennoy, principal at Phillip O. Berry High School.
In May, Victory Junction added The NASCAR Foundation to the elite founder list for surpassing the $1 million-giving mark. Since its inception, The NASCAR Foundation has given more than $1.5 million to Victory Junction through a variety of fundraising means, including NASCAR Day. Collectively, those efforts have sent more than 500 deserving children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses to Victory Junction for a life-changing experience.
For more information on The NASCAR Foundation’s 2010 projects or on the impact the Foundation made within the motorsports community this year, visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/foundation.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Jamie McMurray and AJ Allmendinger, the best way to celebrate the holidays is do what they love most – race.

Both drivers have joined hundreds of other karters at the annual Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket events at Daytona International Speedway.

The three-day event that started on Monday showcases the World Karting Association on three different courses – the 3.56-mile road course, the Sprint track located in Turns 3 and 4 and the newly constructed quarter-mile dirt track outside Turns 1 and 2.

“This is not kick back and relax, this is very serious and it’s very high stress,” McMurray said with a grin. “We’re trying to run two classes this year, it’s just hectic today trying to get both karts on the track today and get everything ready but I’ve got some good helpers.”

Continue reading “Allmendinger, McMurray Go Karting at Daytona”

SCHATZ WINS, STEWART SEVENTH AT PARRAMATTA

Four-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz continued his winning ways with victory in the Valvoline Australian Sprintcar Grand Prix at Sydney’s Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway this evening.

Driving the Garry Rush-owned Pick’n’Payless entry, Schatz started the night off in flying fashion by setting the fastest time during qualifying before finishing second in his heat race.

Schatz’s team boss in the World of Outlaws Series, NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart, was coming to grips with a rain soaked ‘heavy’ track during the early part of the evening before starting from the back row in the main event.

After starting from position six in the 30-lap feature race Schatz had powered his way to the front of the field by the end of the second lap, only to have his passes negated when Warren Ferguson rolled his car bringing the race to it’s first stoppage.

Continue reading “Tony Stewart 7th racing 'Down Under'”

Drivers Are Indeed Athletes
Guest Column By Cathy Elliott

I think the first really in-depth piece of NASCAR-related writing I ever did was for inclusion in a USA Today special section during NASCAR Champion’s Week six or seven years ago. The story was titled,

“Drivers are athletes.”

I did my due diligence, researched the topic thoroughly, and put together a convincing argument lauding NASCAR drivers’ athletic and competitive skills. Whether it swayed anyone’s opinion, I will never know.

But the real questions in my mind were then, and continue to be, why are we even having this conversation, and what is there to argue about?

This issue reared its head once again on December 21 when the Associated Press announced Jimmie Johnson as its Athlete of the Year. He is the first race car driver ever to receive the award in its 78-year history.

Internet message boards are now exploding with discourse on this topic. Some question the AP’s choice; others question whether NASCAR is even a sport. I even saw one comment saying that when the drivers start pushing their cars around the track, then they’ll be considered athletes.

Continue reading “There's no doubt, NASCAR drivers are athletes”

WELCOME, N.C. (December 26, 2009) – Richard Childress Racing pit crew member Donald “D.J.” Richardson, Jr., passed away December 25 in a Massachusetts hospital from complications of the H1N1 virus. He was 37.

Richardson, of Leominster, Mass., contracted the H1N1 virus over the Thanksgiving holiday. He was admitted to Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster for evaluation, where it was determined he was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome.

“All of us at RCR are saddened by D.J.’s passing,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “D.J. was a gifted tire changer, one of the greatest team players in the business and a valued member of the RCR family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Continue reading “RCR/Harvick Tire Changer dies from H1N1”