Elliott to be spokesperson for Friends of Foundation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NASCAR Foundation is pleased to announce that driver Bill Elliott will serve as the official 2007 spokesperson for its Friends of the Foundation program.

Voted 16-time Most Popular Driver, the fans' champion on the track has now become The Foundation's champion off the track. As part of his new role, Elliott will appear in a television, print and radio advertising campaign for the program, debuting on July 29 during the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).

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"I'd like to encourage fans to become a Friend of The NASCAR Foundation and help me use the power of NASCAR to help make a difference in the lives of those who need it most," Elliott said.

The Friends of the Foundation is a unique way for fans and corporations to become more intimately involved in the charitable community of NASCAR. As a Friend, an individual joins an exclusive group of donors affording distinctive benefits and privileges. The generosity of the Friends program provides The NASCAR Foundation with the core financial support needed to fulfill its mission of supporting the charities most important to the NASCAR family.

For as little as $19.48 (the year NASCAR was founded), fans and corporations can make a donation, join the Friends program and help make a difference.

"Friends is such an important program for The Foundation because it is a way for fans and companies to feel involved with our mission throughout the year," said Sandy Marshall, executive director of The NASCAR Foundation. "Since the launch of The NASCAR Foundation last year, we have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of support from fans and corporate partners. Friends will help continue to build upon that and make an even bigger footprint within the charitable community of NASCAR."

Earlier this year, Sprint Nextel became the first Lifetime member of the Friends of the Foundation with a donation of $100,000.

"Sprint Nextel is honored to be the first member of the Friends of the Foundation program and pave the way for fans and sponsors to join such a worthy cause," said Tom Murphy, board member for The NASCAR Foundation. "Bill Elliott is the perfect ambassador to represent this program. For many years, he has been a friend of the NASCAR community and his efforts continue to resonate with the fans."

For more information on The NASCAR Foundation or on becoming a Friend of the Foundation, click here. To donate, click here.