The NASCAR Foundation Donor Story

How Far Does The NASCAR Foundation Work Reach?

April 27, 2020

In these challenging times, where we all need to take a step away from our busy lives, Chris T. from Colorado Springs, CO shared with us about just how “far” The NASCAR Foundation’s work truly reaches…

I have been fortunate enough to purchase several VIP NASCAR Experiences over the past few years and I have found them to be some of the most memorable times that I’ve ever spent with my dad (a Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel and a HUGE NASCAR Fan!!!).  During our most recent VIP Experience at Daytona, I had the opportunity to talk with Jessica and Blake about how far their impact and work with The NASCAR Foundation reaches in the world. 

 

It was the Saturday before Race Day at the summer race in Michigan and my dad was enjoying every minute of his experience meeting all of the drivers and spending time in the garages.  He was taking pictures with Drivers, Owners, Crew Chiefs, and anyone else involved with NASCAR that had a few seconds to stop and chat with a fan.  Shortly into the morning, I met Joey Logano, who was walking around his car and smiling for pictures with fans.  Being that Joey is my brother’s favorite driver (and my brother was at his home in California), I asked Joey if he would FaceTime with my brother to tell him hello.  Not surprisingly, Joey loved the idea and immediately agreed to say hello to him and to tease him about not being out at the race like his brother and father! When the short conversation was finished, my brother was on Cloud-9 and my dad and I enjoyed the entire Race Weekend and, more so, just enjoyed being with each other at a place that meant so much to my dad.

 

Little did I know, when my brother was FaceTiming with Joey Logano, he snapped a screenshot of the two of them chatting and then posted it to his social media pages with the caption “You know, just getting to FaceTime with my FAVORITE DRIVER IN THE WORLD!!!”  People loved his post and it was shared by various friends around the globe. 

A month or two passed and, out of nowhere, my brother was sent a tweet from Pennzoil, asking him to contact them.  When he did, he was shocked to hear the representative tell him that Pennzoil wanted to invite him and his wife out to the Charlotte Race to have a real-life, face-to-face, conversation with his favorite driver.  My brother was blown away and, in all honesty, to this day, he still thinks that I had something to do with it; which I absolutely did not.

 

He and his wife flew to Charlotte and had an incredible time getting to chat with Joey and his team (along with getting a tour of the garage and a bunch of NASCAR swag).  It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him and he still talks about it to anyone that mentions NASCAR!

What you are doing at The NASCAR Foundation is more than just raising money for various groups and projects.  You are raising memories and changing lives! Having been involved in many charitable organizations over the years, I know that times can get hard and getting donors to engage is a never-ending battle.  But, to Jessica, Blake, and everyone else on The NASCAR Foundation Team, please do not ever give up! You are amazing ambassadors for the sport that we all love and I, along with thousands of others, appreciate the work that you’re doing!

 

So, in short, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me memories with my dad that I will keep forever and for allowing these memories to create a ripple effect for so many other families along the way! 

 

Now…LET’S GO RACING!!!