McMurray joins NASCAR Foundation to fight autism

CONCORD, N.C. -- Roush Fenway Racing driver Jamie McMurray is teaming up with the NASCAR Foundation to help raise funds and awareness for autism. The Jamie McMurray Foundation will help lead this effort during National Autism Awareness Month in April. Beginning Wednesday, the NASCAR Foundation Web site (www.nascar.com/foundation) will kick off an online auction with the funds going directly toward the Jamie McMurray Foundation.

"I'm really excited the NASCAR Foundation decided to team up with us and the efforts we are making this month to raise awareness of autism," McMurray said. "I have an 8-year old niece who suffers from autism. I see how it affects her and our entire family. With April being National Autism Awareness Month we thought it would be the best time to kick off the auction.

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• The NASCAR Foundation
• Jamie McMurray auction

"It's really heartwarming to see some of the items that have been donated to our cause. A bunch of drivers have donated items such as firesuits, hats and driving shoes. Outside of NASCAR, we have cookbooks from Mario Batali, a football from Tony Dungy, signed pictures from NFL players Peyton Manning and Brett Favre, and autographed photos from singer John Mayer and others.

"It's pretty amazing to see the variety of items we received for the auction and it just shows how autism impacts people from all walks of life."

The Jamie McMurray Foundation was formed in May 2006 to promote awareness of, and raise funding for research, education and support for individuals and families afflicted with autism. The JMF is dedicated to bringing the financial backing and support of the NASCAR community, together with the passion and commitment of the autism community, to promote better understanding of this challenging disability.

Fans will have the opportunity to go online (http://auctions.nascar.com) and bid at these items beginning on Wednesday. All of the funds received from this auction will be given to the Jamie McMurray Foundation.

Along with actual auction items, fans will have the opportunity to bid on race experiences. This week, one item will be a VIP experience at Talladega Superspeedway. The lucky fan will get a behind-the-scenes look at FOX's Hollywood Hotel, a VIP tour, and meet and greet with Jamie McMurray.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to put my name behind such a great auction and cause. From the VIP experience to FOX allowing a fan the behind-the-scenes access to the Hollywood Hotel -- it's all pretty amazing," McMurray said.