NASCAR Charities

NASCAR Charities - The Giving Spirit of Racing Men
By Tuck Robinson


Most non-racing fans don't associate the rowdy men of NASCAR with the giving spirit that it takes to be involved with charities. Real racing fans know the truth that NASCAR is one of the most giving of all professional sports. The NASCAR Foundation was started in 2006 as a link between the sport and all of the charitable causes supported by its different elements. They support over 30 assorted charities and foundations many of which are run by the drivers, their wives, teams and team owners. Two of the many charities that benefit from its largess are the Victory Junction Gang Camp and Speediatrics.

Victory Junction Gang Camp was founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son, Adam Petty, who was killed in an accident during practice at New Hampshire International Speedway. The idea for the camp was Adam's and it's purpose is to provide a place for terminally ill, and chronically ill children to have a camp experience that otherwise wouldn't be an option due to their illness. The camp has received support from many NASCAR drivers, teams, and sponsors, including Tony Stewart, one of the rowdiest drivers in NASCAR. Tony Stewart has donated well over 2 million dollars to the camp.

Speediatrics was founded by Betty Jane France, wife of the late co-founder, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, Bill France. Speediatrics is a pediatric unit located at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL and Homestead Hospital in Miami, FL. Its cheerful decor is designed to make children feel as comfortable as possible during a hospital stay. The goal of the unit is to allow children to heal in a place that is fun and inviting. The unit's waiting room, nurse's station, walls, patient rooms and playroom are decorated with a NASCAR theme that includes race cars, checkered flags, and cartoon characters named Traxx, Curves, Six-Speed, and Clutch.

The NASCAR Foundation raises money in many different ways and virtually every one of the people associated with the sport contribute. There is an online auction conducted routinely, last year a motorcycle was auctioned off, this year Dodge has donated a 2008 Dodge Challenger painted Petty blue. NASCAR Day is another huge moneymaker, donate $5, you get a pin and participating employers allow you to wear your NASCAR gear to work. There are many more fundraisers including track walks, races, motorcycle rides and sporting events. Beginning in 2008, NASCAR has taken it one step further in an unprecedented move. All drivers fines will go to The NASCAR Foundation, where before the fines went into NASCAR's pocket. Some may say this will encourage drivers to behave badly, but at least someone worthy will benefit.

NASCAR owners, drivers and teams are making a bundle of money nowadays. The NASCAR Foundation, driver foundations and individual NASCAR charities are a way for them to give back to the communities and help out those in need.

Written by the Webmaster of Racing Men, the site for all your NASCAR drivers news, NASCAR tickets and NASCAR cars.

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