NASCAR Drivers and the Foundations They Support

It seems that many people think that NASCAR drivers are a bunch of red neck hillbillies that cannot so anything except drive a racecar. However, truth be told NASCAR drivers and their families are some of the most generous people around. They provide donations to supports causes, create foundations to help others, and get their hands dirty building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Here you will learn about just some of the ways these drivers and their families are helping other and making lives better around the world.

Theresa Earnhardt created the Dale Earnhardt Foundation in December of 2002. It was created in the memory of Dale Earnhardt Sr, who died at the Daytona 500 in February of 2001. The Dale Earnhardt Foundation has donated more that 200 tons of food to children and families in 16 states and donates toys to the children's hospitals at Christmas time. They have issued a grant to support a 58,000-acre Wildlife Preservation in the Louisiana Wetlands. The foundation also has The Legend Leadership Award, which gives up to 7 scholarships or grants annually to individuals and groups that have shown innovative and generous solutions to problematic issues faced by communities.

In 1999, the Jeff Gordon Foundation was created. Since then the foundation has generously donated to many organizations the focus on helping and finding cures for sick child. The organizations that have benefitted from the Jeff Gordon Foundation are The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®, Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana, The Marrow Foundation®, The Make-A-Wish Foundation®, and Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital in Concord, NC. Since 2005, the foundation has helped 24 other organizations through their grant program.

Ryan Newman and his wife Krissie with the purpose of teaching and educating people about the necessity of spaying and neutering your pets created the Ryan Newman Foundation in 2005. As the foundation has grown so has their list of causes. Racing for Wildlife is a team commitment between The Ryan Newman Foundation and The Conservation Fund to rebuild, restore, and protect outdoor recreational areas for urban families to be able to go to and enjoy for years to come. The Ryan Newman Foundation also has a Racing Scholarship fund that will enable drivers of quarter midget, midget and Silver Crown auto racing to continue growing their passion for racing as they earn their college education.

This is just a few of the foundations that can be found through the NASCAR racing circuit. These drivers and families extend their good fortune to others in need and help local communities. Please check back for additional articles on NASCAR drivers and their foundations.