NASCAR Day shows sport's dedication to philanthropy (cont'd)

Stewart is just one of many Nextel Cup drivers who have foundations designed to help those in need. Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Dale Jarrett and Ward Burton are some of the others, and each has a specific interest.

Celebrate May 18

NASCAR Day is an annual, charitable celebration of the spirit of NASCAR fans, and last year raised more than $1.3 million with 98,000 pins sold online at NASCAR.COM and more than 3,000 company locations participating all across the country.

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Johnson, just prior to the recent race at Martinsville, opened Jimmie Johnson's Victory Lanes at Victory Junction, a bowling facility for campers.

Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya, Mark and Jeff Green, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Ray Evernham, Ricky Craven and Terry Labonte all have foundations participating in The NASCAR Foundation. Michigan International Speedway, Speedway Children's Charities, the Bobby Scruggs and Randy Dorton Memorial Funds and The Dale Earnhardt Foundation as well as the Kenny Irwin Jr. Foundation and the Dare to Dream Camp all have organizations in the mix, as do Morgan-McClure Motorsports, the Rick Hendrick Marrow program, the Urban Youth Racing School, Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports and Speediatrics -- the pediatric wing at Halifax Medical Center funded by Betty Jane France.

The NASCAR Foundation has as its mission the "compassion of the NASCAR family and our commitment to serving communities. The foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR family. The NASCAR Foundation will use the strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of people who need it most."

By buying a NASCAR Day pin for $5, you're helping children, animals, literacy, families and much more. Whether it's at The Home Depot stores, at the track or from organizations like the Official NASCAR Members Club, NASCAR fans can help a tremendous number of folks who need it.

As Stewart goes for a second consecutive victory at Texas this weekend, with NASCAR Day decals on his Chevrolet, take a moment to reflect on helping those in need.