Your call, text can make a difference on NASCAR Day

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Phones will be ringing off the hook on May 16-17 when The NASCAR Foundation partners with Sirius Satellite Radio, NASCAR.COM and SPEED Channel once again to host the NASCAR Day Telethon.

Fans not only have the opportunity to call 1-888-MAY16TH (1-888-629-1684) to make a donation, but Sprint also has enabled fans to pledge their support to the telethon this year by texting their e-mail addresses to 81714.

All-Star Race

SPEED will again broadcast the Sprint Showdown and All-Star Race. Tune in at 7 p.m. ET on May 17 to watch rivals race for $1 million -- and the fireworks!

• All-Star coverage

As part of that texting campaign, Sprint has issued the Sprint Texting Challenge. The driver, team or track charity that receives the most donations during the NASCAR Day Telethon will receive an additional $24,000 donation, in honor of the 24th running of the All-Star Race, courtesy of Sprint.

"The NASCAR Day Telethon impacts charitable causes throughout the NASCAR community and brings a wonderful charitable addition to the exciting lineup of events that week," said Tom Murphy, vice president of corporate brand marketing at Sprint. "The $24,000 Sprint Texting Challenge is just one way we can help the NASCAR Foundation make a difference."

Thanks to The NASCAR Foundation and a slew of NASCAR's media partners including SIRIUS Satellite Radio, SPEED, NASCAR.COM and MRN, fans will have a chance on May 16-17 to speak with their favorite drivers, celebrate NASCAR Day and make a donation to a charitable cause of their choice, as the Foundation has brought together an impressive list of Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series drivers to help answer phones as part of the Telethon event at the Sam Bass Gallery in Concord, N.C., on Friday and the Sprint Experience at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday.

In 2007, the NASCAR Day Telethon debuted with fans and more than 25 of NASCAR's biggest celebrities, including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and many more, helping to raise much needed funds for The NASCAR Foundation and its Family of Charities. Highlights from last year's event include a touching behind the scenes meet and greet between Jeff Gordon and wish child Tristan, an unidentified caller who shared his personal story about his child who attended Victory Junction Gang Camp and the experience he had and Sirius personality Dave Moody shaving his famous beard on-air to close out the day's activities as part of his promise to the fans for helping raise more than $1 million for charity.

NASCAR Day is an annual, charitable celebration of the spirit of NASCAR. This year The NASCAR Foundation is celebrating "Five Years of Caring" for the fifth annual NASCAR Day. Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised more than $4.5 million for charity. As a result of last year's success, The NASCAR Foundation donated $500,000 to the Victory Junction Gang camp to help send over 200 kids to camp.

By calling 1-888-May16TH (1-888-629-1684) or texting your e-mail address to 81714 on NASCAR Day, fans will be helping the more than 30 driver, team and track charities that the Foundation supports year round. Fans also have the ability to designate their entire donation to one of the charities under The NASCAR Foundation Family of Charity umbrella. Drivers will be stopping by the Telethon throughout the day on Friday and Saturday to talk about their charitable initiatives and answer phone calls at the Telethon. Phone lines will be open through May 19.

The NASCAR Foundation will also launch an online auction featuring several larger than life items like a Dale Earnhardt Jr. custom Sunoco Chopper and the NASCAR Performance Network show car, both of which will be on display for fans to see the day of the Telethon in front of the Sam Bass Gallery. The auction runs through May 19. Details about the auction can be found at www.nascar.com/nascarday.

Fans can still get their NASCAR Day pins online at NASCAR.COM or at their local participating The Home Depot store, while supplies last. To learn more about NASCAR Day or the NASCAR Day Telethon visit www.nascar.com/nascarday.