Waltrip To Drive No. 26 Sandy Hook School Support Fund Toyota Camry for the DAYTONA 500®; Fans Can Make $10 Donations By Texting NEWTOWN to 80888
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2013) – Using the biggest race
of the year as a backdrop, NASCAR, Swan Racing and two-time Daytona 500
champion Michael Waltrip announced today a special tribute to raise awareness
and contributions for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.
Following a private meeting with town officials, community
leaders, first responders and victims’ families last week in Newtown, Conn.,
NASCAR, Swan Racing and Waltrip announced that the No. 30 Lean1 Swan Racing
Toyota will instead garner the No. 26 Sandy Hook School Support Fund Toyota.
Waltrip’s ride for the Daytona 500 (Sunday, Feb. 24 1 p.m. ET on FOX) will
honor the 26 victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School and prominently feature a
call-to-action decal encouraging the NASCAR community to make $10 donations by
texting NEWTOWN
to 80888.
The Sandy Hook School Support Fund, established jointly by United Way of
Western Connecticut and Newtown Savings Bank, supports the healing process for
the broader Newtown community including
children, teachers, first responders, families, residents, mental health
professionals, counselors and others, following the tragic events that occurred
at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. One
hundred percent of the funds raised for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund go
to meet the needs of the Newtown
community.
“Americans everywhere are heartbroken about the tragedy in Newtown and Swan Racing is proud to join NASCAR and the United Way of Western Connecticut to help the community move forward,”
said Swan Racing owner Brandon Davis.
In addition to piloting the No. 26 Newtown car in the Great
American Race, Waltrip confirmed today that all three Michael Waltrip Racing
entries will run the “text NEWTOWN to 80888” decal for the Daytona 500.
“Driving the No. 26 Sandy Hook School Support Fund Toyota is
like nothing I have ever been part of in my NASCAR career,” Waltrip said. “It
will be an emotional week knowing that we have the potential to do so much good
for the Newtown
community. I’m racing for a reason.”
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France also announced today
that he and his wife Amy would personally kick off the NASCAR industry support
with a $50,000 donation that will be matched by The NASCAR Foundation, a 501(c)
(3) non-profit that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR family and its commitment
to serving communities.
“Being in Newtown last week
and delivering a moment of happiness to that community was unlike anything I’ve
ever experienced,” said France.
“Looking out at a room of smiling faces amidst the aftermath of a horrible tragedy
was very powerful. It hit me that the NASCAR industry and our passionate fan
base have an unbelievable opportunity to rally around this cause and make a
huge difference for a community in need. I am excited to witness firsthand the
NASCAR community’s embrace and support of the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.”
Separate from the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, United Way of Western Connecticut recently announced in cooperation
with the Newtown Rotary Club Foundation that additional funds are available to
help with the immediate financial and mental health needs for people impacted
by the tragic events of Dec. 14.
"One thing I can tell you for sure, is that there will
be a whole lot of people in Sandy Hook and Newtown rooting for Michael and the
No 26 car," said Sandy Hook Fire Chief Bill Halstead. "It will be
something positive to rally around, and there will be smiles on faces that
haven't smiled in quite a while."
The NASCAR community can contribute to the Sandy Hook School
Support Fund by texting NEWTOWN
to 80888. For fans without short-code texting plans with their wireless
carriers, there are two additional opportunities to donate. Donations can also
be made online at newtown.uwwesternct.org
or by mail to:
Sandy Hook
School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street,
Newtown, CT, 06470
About NASCAR
The National
Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body
for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of
three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series,
and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local
grassroots series, three international series and GRAND-AM Road Racing and the
American Le Mans Series, both known for competition on road courses. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with
offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200
races in more than 30 U.S.
states, Canada, Mexico and Europe.
The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona
on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. on FOX. For more information, visit www.nascar.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter:
@NASCAR.
