Cowlishaw, Stewart, TMS team to support food bank

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Tim Cowlishaw, an ESPN regular on Around The Horn and NASCAR Now as well as a noted Dallas Morning News sports columnist, had the rare opportunity to be a NASCAR driver for a day when he participated in the Tony Stewart Smoke Show media fantasy camp earlier this year at Texas Motor Speedway.

Cowlishaw may not have the skills of a NASCAR driver, but he is showing he does have that big heart like Stewart and his NASCAR brethren when it comes to charitable causes. He appeared on Around The Horn on Wednesday sporting his custom Smoke Show firesuit and Oakley driving gloves signed by Stewart and announced he was going to put the firesuit and autographed gloves on eBay, with the proceeds going to the North Texas Food Bank for the holiday season.

Cowlishaw wore the firesuit and gloves for his maiden run behind the wheel of a stock car during the Smoke Show event this past October in which Stewart served as a special instructor for the media. The firesuit has the specially designed Smoke Show logo on the back, Cowlishaw's name stitched on the front and is one of only 20 that were produced for this special event. The gloves are a pair of authentic Oakley's similar to ones Stewart actually wears, and these were personally signed by the two-time series champ at the event.

For the record, Cowlishaw ran a top lap of 134 mph to place sixth among the 17 media participating.

"This is a rare item for true racing fans -- the firesuit worn at Texas Motor Speedway by the man most insiders in the sport refer to as 'Mr. NASCAR,'" Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage said. "I assure the fans this is a suit that should show no wear and tear and has plenty of life left in it. I don't think it's ever been worn at speeds higher than 60 miles per hour. ... In all seriousness, Tim should be commended for his generosity in supporting the North Texas Food Bank."

Texas Motor Speedway and Stewart have both decided to lend a hand to Cowlishaw's cause. TMS will enhance the eBay package by including two Victory Lane Club tickets, two pre-race pit passes and one VIP parking pass for the Samsung 500 Sprint Cup race April 6. The value of the ticket package is $1,125.

Stewart will match the eventual winning eBay bid for the package, which ultimately will double Cowlishaw's donation plans for the North Texas Food Bank.

"I think it's great that Tim found a unique way to give back to the community and how Eddie and Texas Motor Speedway stepped up to sweeten the pot," Stewart said. "I sure couldn't help Tim in becoming a good racecar driver at the Smoke Show, but I know I can definitely help him here."

The package will be placed on eBay for bidding beginning Dec. 13. To locate the item on eBay, please type in one of the following search terms: Cowlishaw, Smoke Show, Tony Stewart or Firesuit.

For more information, contact the Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations Department at (817) 215-8520 or pr@texasmotorspeedway.com.