Talladega NASCAR Day news 209-04-16

NASCAR Day 'Goes Pink' For Susan G. Komen For The Cure®; The NASCAR Foundation, FOX Sports Supports And Susan G. Komen For The Cure Partner To Raise Funds At Talladega Superspeedway

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 16, 2009) -- The NASCAR Foundation has announced that NASCAR Day will "Go Pink" through a joint partnership with FOX Sports Supports and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® April 24-26.

Celebrated on May 15, NASCAR Day is an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country to donate to The NASCAR Foundation to raise funds to help thousands of children live better lives. Through the partnership between The NASCAR Foundation, FOX Sports Supports and Komen for the Cure, a portion of the net proceeds raised through the program will benefit Komen for the Cure, supporting its promise to save lives end breast cancer forever. Specifically, the money raised will support the Susan G. Komen Scholarship Fund -- a fund specifically designed for children whose mothers have lost their battle against cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure founder Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker will attend the Aaron's 499 and serve as an "Honorary Race Director" on April 26. Brinker founded the world's largest breast cancer organization 27 years ago in memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, to fulfill a promise she made her sister to do everything she could to end breast cancer. The organization is now the world's largest network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

"NASCAR fans and FOX Sports Supports are raising funds that are literally saving lives through Komen-funded research, education and support programs in our communities. In tough economic times, this work is more important than ever, and we are extremely grateful for the support we receive from our terrific NASCAR friends," Brinker said.

In 2009, FOX Sports has aligned with Komen for the Cure through the FOX Sports Supports program as one of their benefiting organizations. NASCAR on FOX personalities will don their pink apparel and show their support by wearing their NASCAR Day pins throughout the race weekend. FOX Sports launched FOX Sports Supports last year to raise awareness, provide financial assistance and spur volunteerism for worthy health-related charities.

"We are very proud to team up with The NASCAR Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure on this special day at Talladega as we continue our goal of maximizing awareness for this critical cause," said Bill Wanger, Senior Vice President of FOX Sports Research and Programming.

Volunteers from Komen's North Central Alabama Affiliate will be out at the track Friday-Sunday collecting $5 donations. In return for the donation, fans will receive a collectible NASCAR Day lapel pin. The NASCAR Foundation will also have commemorative NASCAR Day pink t-shirts available for a limited time at the NASCAR.COM Superstore and at The NASCAR Foundation booth at Talladega Superspeedway. The t-shirts are available now online, and fans are encouraged to wear them to the track on race weekend. Half of the net proceeds from these efforts will benefit the Susan G. Komen Scholarship Fund. For more information visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay.

In addition to the at-track fundraising opportunities, The NASCAR Foundation has launched an online auction for the sole benefit of the Susan G. Komen Scholarship Fund. The auction, which closes April 19, features a FOX Sports VIP Experience that includes a behind the scenes look at Talladega Superspeedway through the eyes of the NASCAR on FOX Sports crew. A tour of the infield featuring the famous Hollywood Hotel studio as well as the FOX Sports television compound where the race is produced, directed and edited for viewers at home, a meet and greet with NASCAR's most popular gopher, Digger, and tickets to a luxury suite to watch the Aaron's 499 (FOX, 2 p.m.) from a spectacular view are also included in the package.

Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised more than $6.5 million for charity, truly uniting the industry to help those in need.

How To Get Involved:

Visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay to donate $5 and receive your 2009 NASCAR Day collectible pin.

Stop by a participating APlus at Sunoco location to donate $5 and get your pin.

Become a NASCAR Day Crew Chief for your corporation, school or organization. Sign up for The NASCAR Foundation Volunteer Network.

Help spread the word by telling a friend.

For more information on NASCAR Day 2009 visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/NASCARDay.

-credit: nascar