Finalists announced for Humanitarian Award

ATLANTA -- The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer and Official Home Improvement Warehouse of NASCAR, and NASCAR announced on Thursday the finalists for the second annual NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The award is open to any member of the NASCAR community who has demonstrated a dedication to serving others and improving communities through significant service efforts.

The three finalists are: Artie Kempner, coordinating director of NASCAR for FOX Sports and founder of the Autism Society of Delaware; Ryan Newman, driver for Penske Racing, founder of Racing for Wildlife with The Conservation Fund and animal rights advocate; and Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing and founder of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.

The recipient of the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards luncheon in New York City on Dec. 4. The award winner will receive a $100,000 donation made by The Home Depot to the recipient's charity of choice and a specially-designed crystal award. The other two finalists will each receive a $25,000 donation to their designated non-profit organization.

"The NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award finalists embody volunteerism and dedication to serving others, values that are central to The Home Depot and NASCAR," said Frank Bifulco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of The Home Depot. "The Home Depot is proud to identify and honor these everyday heroes and the valuable ways they serve their communities."

"We are proud to join with The Home Depot in recognizing three members of the NASCAR family for their significant service efforts in the community," said Marcus Jadotte, managing director of public affairs at NASCAR. "The NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award acknowledges the meaningful contributions that individuals in NASCAR make off the track."

All active employees within the NASCAR industry -- drivers, owners, team and track employees, licensees, media partners, and motorsports media -- were eligible to receive the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award. Nominees were assessed based on their community commitment and dedication; impact on the community; and charitable giving of their time and talents. A blue-ribbon committee comprised of representatives from NASCAR, The Home Depot and motorsports media selected the three finalists.

The NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award was established in 2007. The inaugural Humanitarian Award winner was Don Miller, a former Penske Racing executive. Miller started the Stock-for-Tots program as a holiday event to collect toys and raise funds for Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN).

ABOUT THE FINALISTS

• Artie Kempner, coordinating director of NASCAR on FOX Sports, became an advocate of autism awareness in honor of his son Ethan who is autistic.

To spread the word about autism, Kempner founded the Autism Society of Delaware and played integral roles in Visa's decision to sponsor the "Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa" and in the creation of FOX Sports Supports, a network-wide charitable commitment which benefits Autism Speaks and other non-profit organizations. Kempner currently serves as chairperson of the annual "Drive for Autism Research" golf tournament which has raised more than $2.5 million for autism research since its inception.

• Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series, founded Racing for Wildlife in 2007 to support conservation projects that create opportunities for families to experience the outdoors in protected spaces. Two conservation projects have been completed to date. Newman, an animal rights advocate, also serves as chairman of the Humane Society of Catawba County's capital campaign. The campaign raised $3 million and enabled the Society to build a no-kill animal shelter and clinic. Newman continues to support the campaign by donating 100 percent of the profits of his book, "Pit Road Pets."

• Richard Childress, former NASCAR driver and president and CEO of Childress Racing, established the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in 2008. Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for children in the United States, and the Childress Institute will focus on research, education, treatment, prevention and raising awareness of childhood injuries. Childress is currently working with a number of organizations and donors in an effort to raise additional support for the Institute.