The red carpet was studded with drivers, wives and girlfriends, media members and NASCAR personnel on Wednesday evening for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s eighth annual Catwalk for a Cause, which raises funds for childhood and ovarian cancers.
Big stars from @NASCAR here to support @MartinTruex_Jr foundation including @DaleJr pic.twitter.com/RYZko1Q0rg
– MichelleBoudin (@MichelleBoudin) May 17, 2017
Hello from “Catwalk for a Cause”, the NASCAR-star-studded charity event hosted by Sherry Pollex. Red carpet ready: pic.twitter.com/AAjSjW4Y5h
– Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) May 17, 2017
What a night! What a cause! #MTJFCatwalk pic.twitter.com/z2SlayVwgG
– NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2017
Wonderful catching up with @DanicaPatrick & @StenhouseJr for a great cause!
To donate: Text STRONG to 50155.@MTJFoundation #MTJFCatwalk pic.twitter.com/aRjplIKyRB
– Daryl Motte (@DarylMotte) May 18, 2017
Drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Ty Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Newman and others all were in attendance. Aric Almirola, who suffered a compression fracture of the T5 vertebra after being involved in a wreck during Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway, also made an appearance on the red carpet and participated in the program.
The award for most unexpected person at @MTJFoundation #CatwalkforaCause goes to @aric_almirola #Nascar #SuperMan pic.twitter.com/4OF5ByPAvz
– Marcus Smith (@MarcusSMI) May 18, 2017
Just spoke with @aric_almirola– he called wife from ICU- told her he was ok, and that he wanted to still go to Catwalk for a Cause pic.twitter.com/qLQADtbM6h
– Kelsey Riggs (@KelseyRiggsWCNC) May 17, 2017
The event was a dramatic James Bond-themed gathering held at Statesville (N.C.) Regional Airport. Fifteen “Catwalk Heroes,” ranging in age from 3 to 17 years old were introduced on stage leading up to the main event. These children are either battling or have beaten cancer. Several drivers, including Earnhardt Jr. and his wife Amy, walked in the event with the children.
#MTJFCatwalk Heroes get hair & make up too. This is a real runway show folks!! pic.twitter.com/1RC454kkrv
– MTJFoundation (@MTJFoundation) May 17, 2017
That smile says it all. #MTJFCatwalk pic.twitter.com/q5o8iOsZC4
– NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 18, 2017
The most adorable #NASCAR moment … ever.
@DaleJr @AmyEarnhardt @MTJFoundation #MTJFCatwalk pic.twitter.com/p0EFjXq6QJ
– #NASCARonFS1 (@NASCARONFOX) May 18, 2017
For ovarian cancer survivor Sherry Pollex, Martin Truex Jr.’s long-time girlfriend who started the foundation with Truex, Wednesday night’s event was especially meaningful as it marked her first Catwalk for Cause event with her cancer in remission.
“It’s kind of a ‘pinch-me’ moment — I’m like, ‘Is this really happening?’ because I never really envisioned it being this big,” Pollex told FS1 via Facebook Live. “… It is very humbling and I’m so thankful for the support not just from our sponsors, but everybody in NASCAR and everybody outside the sport in our community that came out tonight to watch the kids.”
“This has been an incredible journey.” Martin Truex Jr and Sherry Pollex host the 8th annual Catwalk for a Cause: pic.twitter.com/mf2IaqNIxx
– Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) May 18, 2017
Amazing what @MartinTruex_Jr and @SherryPollex have created with the #CatwalkforaCause, and the amount of kids they help. Well done again pic.twitter.com/UBeYSdMaJi
– Regan Smith (@ReganSmith) May 18, 2017
About last night…THIS…is what last night was about…❤️ #CatwalkForACause #MTJCatwalk pic.twitter.com/SAEsNtmAOh
– Cassi Mitchell Smith (@Gassigirl88) May 18, 2017
Country pop group Florida Georgia Line also performed later that night.
@FLAGALine in the house at @MTJFoundation Catwalk for a Cause!! #MTJFcatwalk pic.twitter.com/Im0ENNYBlr
– Sherry Pollex (@SherryPollex) May 18, 2017