(Courtesy NASCAR Media)

Sprint Offers Fans the Ability to Text their Pledge to 81714

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 24, 2008) - Phones will be ringing off the hook on May 16-17 when The NASCAR Foundation partners with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, NASCAR.com and SPEED Channel once again to host the NASCAR Day Telethon.

Starting today not only will fans have the chance to call 1-888-MAY16TH (1-888-629-1684) to make a donation, but Sprint is also enabling fans to pledge their support to the Telethon this year by texting their email addresses to 81714.

As part of that texting campaign, Sprint has issued the Sprint Texting Challenge. The driver, team or track charity that receives the most donations during the NASCAR Day Telethon will receive an additional $24,000 donation, in honor of the 24th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (SPEED, 7 p.m. ET), courtesy of Sprint.

"The NASCAR Day Telethon impacts charitable causes throughout the NASCAR community and brings a wonderful charitable addition to the exciting lineup of events that week," said Tom Murphy, vice president of corporate brand marketing at Sprint. "The $24,000 Sprint Texting Challenge is just one way we can help The NASCAR Foundation make a difference."

Thanks to The NASCAR Foundation and a group of NASCAR's media partners, including SIRIUS Satellite Radio, SPEED, NASCAR.COM and MRN, fans will have a chance on May 16-17 to speak with their favorite drivers, celebrate NASCAR Day and make a donation to a charitable cause of their choice. The Foundation has brought together an impressive list of NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers to help answer phones as part of the Telethon event at the Sam Bass Gallery in Concord, N.C., on Friday, and the Sprint Experience at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday.

In 2007, the NASCAR Day Telethon debuted with fans and over 25 of NASCAR's biggest celebrities, including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and many more, helping to raise much needed funds for The NASCAR Foundation and its Family of Charities. Highlights from last year's event include a touching behind the scenes meet and greet between Jeff Gordon and Make-A-Wish child Tristan; an unidentified caller who shared his personal story about his child who attended Victory Junction Gang Camp; and SIRIUS personality Dave Moody shaving his famous beard on-air to close out the day's activities as part of his promise to the fans for helping raise over $1 million for charity.

NASCAR Day is an annual, charitable celebration of the spirit of NASCAR. This year The NASCAR Foundation is celebrating "Five Years of Caring" for the fifth annual NASCAR Day. Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised more than $4.5 million for charity. As a result of last year's success, The NASCAR Foundation donated $500,000 to the Victory Junction Gang camp to help send over 200 kids to camp.

By calling 1-888-May16TH (1-888-629-1684) or texting your email address to 81714 on NASCAR Day, fans will be helping the more than 30 driver, team and track charities that the Foundation supports year round. Fans also have the ability to designate their entire donation to one of the charities under The NASCAR Foundation Family of Charity umbrella. Drivers will be stopping by the Telethon throughout the day on Friday and Saturday to talk about their charitable initiatives and answer a few phone calls at the Telethon phone bank. Phone lines will be open through May 19.

The NASCAR Foundation will also launch an online auction featuring several larger than life items like a Dale Earnhardt Jr. custom Sunoco Chopper and the NASCAR Performance Network show car, both of which will be on display for fans to see the day of the Telethon in front of the Sam Bass Gallery. The auction begins Apr. 24 and will run through May 19. Details about the auction can be found at WWW.NASCAR.COM/nascarday.

Fans can still get their NASCAR Day pins online at NASCAR.com or at their local participating The Home Depot store, while supplies last! To learn more about NASCAR Day or the NASCAR Day Telethon visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/nascarday.

About The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.