USA Today via Reuters
Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and Martin Truex Jr. (19) race during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and Martin Truex Jr. (19) race during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Since a fairly long time, the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation has been dedicated to raising awareness about cancer. Normally, the foundation auctions off race-worn and autographed steering wheels. However, the global COVID-19 situation has turned everything on its head.
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“We planned on doing that again and keeping that going but with COVID it was turning into a big problem to get the steering wheels because they’re made in Italy,” Truex Jr. said.
As a result, the foundation teamed up with the NASCAR Foundation. Together, the two have set up the Honor A Cancer Hero program.
In a nutshell, the event is an online auction to honor cancer victims, survivors, medical personnel and caregivers. All of their names will be emblazoned on the cars for this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
This is actually the most appropriate time, since September is childhood and ovarian cancer awareness month. This auction gives the patients a chance to “ride” with their favorite drivers.
What else is there to know about the Martin Truex Jr Foundation’s initiative?
In all honesty, the response to the initiative was absolutely tremendous. To be precise, the joint effort resulted in the organization raising more than $90,000. In addition to that, more than 50 drivers spanning all three NASCAR series donated for the charity.
Truex Jr noted that the COVID-19 crisis forced his foundation to brainstorm other ideas for the charity. Suffice to say, the #19 driver loved the idea and observed its effectiveness.
He said, “From the teams, the sponsors, the drivers, everybody that allowed us to do this, it’s really special. Obviously, it’s been a tough year to raise money for the Foundation and this is a way to hopefully try to make up for some of that.”
He also insisted that even though all the NASCAR teams are competitors, they are still a tight community. So when a cause like this crops up, they put aside all rivalries for the greater good.
Martin Truex Jr insists that in times of difficulty, NASCAR as an industry needs to get together and help each other. At the end of the day, he was thankful for his fellow drivers for their aid.
