NASCAR Charity Auction: Honor a ‘Cancer Hero’ by Placing Their Name on Your Favorite Driver's Car
News
Performance
Motorsports
NASCAR drivers are in a hotly contested battle for leadership in the 2020 Cup Series - opens in new window or tab.. But there’s an even fiercer (and more urgent) NASCAR competition happening off the track: racing fans are outbidding one another in an eBay auction to support and honor loved ones battling cancer - opens in new window or tab..
The winning bidder gets to designate the name of a “cancer hero,” somebody struggling with the disease or a medical provider who made a difference during a cancer patient’s battle. The name will be placed on a competing NASCAR racecar—above the door where the driver’s signature usually appears—when it competes on Sept. 27 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. An autographed photo of the renamed door gets sent to the namesake.
The name of your "cancer hero" will replace the driver's signature.
Denny Hamlin, who is in second place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, currently has the top spot in the eBay auction. There’s a $5,200 bid for naming rights for Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry. He’s one of about 50 drivers participating in the charity auction. The list includes Kevin Harvick, Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliot, and Jimmy Johnson.
But all eyes are on the active bidding (31 bids and counting) for the name that will appear on Martin Truex, Jr.’s car. After all, it’s his charity organization— the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation - opens in new window or tab.—that collaborated with the NASCAR Foundation and eBay to organize the auction. Martin is 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion and a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
Bidders for the naming rights for Martin’s car are currently in a close second place with a $2,050 entry. C’mon Truex fans. It’s time to place a bid - opens in new window or tab. and take the lead for Martin!
Martin Truex, Jr.
A Personal Mission
The 10-day auction is the latest of many efforts by Martin and his longtime girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, to help cancer patients. In 2007, the couple established the foundation to focus on childhood cancer. Seven years later, Sherry received the shocking news that she had ovarian cancer. Thankfully, Sherry not only survived her battle with the disease but turned her attention to alleviating the suffering of others.
In October 2020, she will spearhead the opening of the SherryStrong - opens in new window or tab. Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic in Charlotte, N.C. The clinic will provide treatment, such as massage therapy and acupuncture, to reduce the effects of chemo treatments for women with ovarian cancer.
As a champion driver, Martin has a massive platform to raise awareness and funds for cancer patients. He’s using it for good.
Lisa Backer, executive director of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, said, “We’re able to grab a whole new market of people that would have never found us or donated to a charity.” She told us that she’s been overwhelmed by the positive response to the eBay auction.
The bidding is fast and furious. “It’s exciting to see people who want to honor a loved one in the battle. It’s not just about putting someone’s name on the car. It’s a deep honor for everything they have been through,” she said. “Almost everybody has a story to tell you about somebody who is affected by cancer.”
Lisa said that the foundation usually has a physical presence at NASCAR races, but there are no fans in the crowd due to the pandemic. So she is getting creative with awareness campaigns. The eBay auction is a big help. “The eBay platform has already gained so much more attention than past auctions that we’ve done,” says Lisa. “We are thrilled to run the NASCAR auction on eBay, the number one auction site.”
So, ladies and gentlemen, it’s up to you. Place your bid now - opens in new window or tab. to honor the cancer hero in your life—and then cheer on the namesake NASCAR racer as it competes for the checkered flag in Las Vegas.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.