NASCAR Day to celebrate 'Five Years of Caring' in '08

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NASCAR Foundation announced Tuesday that it will celebrate "Five Years of Caring" May 16 during the fifth anniversary of NASCAR Day.

Present for the announcement at Daytona International Speedway was country music superstar Garth Brooks. As part of his role, Brooks will appear in a print, radio and television advertising campaign that will debut during the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. Past celebrity supporters for NASCAR Day include Will Ferrell and Kelly Clarkson.

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• The inaugural NASCAR Day was held on Friday, Aug. 20, 2004.

• In 2005, NASCAR Day was moved to the third Friday in May, where it has been celebrated every year since.

• 2005 marked the first year where NASCAR Day raised more than $1 million.

• In 2007, NASCAR Partner The Home Depot helped raise $400,000 through its involvement selling the collectable lapel pins.

• The inaugural NASCAR Day Telethon was held on May 18, 2007, with more than 25 participating drivers and NASCAR celebrities.

• In 2007, the NASCAR Foundation made its single largest donation to date from the funds raised during NASCAR Day with a $500,000 check to Victory Junction Gang.

"It's an honor to have Garth serve as the face of our 2008 NASCAR Day campaign," said Mike Helton, NASCAR president and NASCAR Foundation board member. "We are thrilled to have someone of Garth Brooks' magnitude. He will be a great ambassador for NASCAR fans, NASCAR Day and the NASCAR Foundation."

During the past five years, nearly $5 million has been raised to help those who need it most in a celebration as unique as the sport itself. NASCAR Day, celebrated annually on the third Friday in May, is an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country to donate $5 to the NASCAR Foundation to raise funds for its Family of Charities in an effort to help thousands of children live better lives.

Brooks created his own foundation 10 years ago, Teammates For Kids, which partners with major professional sports to support health, education and inner-city services for children. To Brooks, the association with NASCAR is a logical extension of his charitable activities.

Brooks says no concerts are planned at this point but didn't rule out the possibility of performing in conjunction with the NASCAR Day activities.

"If we would [perform], it would be something that Mike and I would sit around and talk about," Brooks said Tuesday in the Daytona International Speedway media center. "We tried to do something for Daytona this year, but that didn't work out.

"Since I don't get to play much anymore -- my youngest [child] is 11, so I've got probably another 10 years of taking the kids to school and stuff ... I doubt I'll drive her to college -- we'll see. If we do get to play, it's for charity, which, truthfully, is what the gift was given to me for anyway. We don't have any plans at this time."

In 2007, the NASCAR Foundation donated $500,000 to Kyle and Pattie Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp from funds raised during NASCAR Day. As a result of NASCAR Day last year, The Home Depot was able to raise $400,000 for the NASCAR Foundation with a portion of those funds benefiting KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. During that same year the foundation also donated $250,000 to Speediatrics, motorsports-themed pediatric units at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Fla.

In the spirit of "Five Years of Caring," here are five ways that people can get involved in this annual celebration:

1. Make a $5 donation for the "2008 Fifth Anniversary NASCAR Day" collectable lapel pin.

2. Register to become a NASCAR Day Crew Chief at your corporation, school or organization.

3. Tell a friend or co-worker about NASCAR Day.

4. Volunteer at a NASCAR Foundation booth. Visit www.nascar.com/foundation to join the Volunteer Network and learn about opportunities.

5. Call in to the NASCAR Day Telethon on May 16 to make a donation and show your support.

To get your 2008 NASCAR Day collectable lapel pin or for more information about NASCAR Day visit www.nascar.com/foundation.

The Sporting News Wire Service contributed to this report.