As the new NASCAR season begins, many drivers are balancing their on-track performance with off-track giving. This year’s campaign highlights a range of charitable causes led by Cup Series stars. Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha continue their Bundle of Joy Fund to help families struggling with infertility, having already awarded grants totaling over $2 million to more than 100 couples since 2015.
Busch’s foundation explicitly aims to empower “children, families and communities to overcome hardship” by removing financial barriers to parenthood. Two-time champion Denny Hamlin likewise remains focused on children’s health – his Denny Hamlin Foundation has now raised about $2.5 million for cystic fibrosis research and care, reflecting his long-term commitment to funding CF treatment advances and quality-of-life care for young patients.
Earnhardt Jr.: Pediatric Cancer, Wishes and Community Support
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. also channels his popularity into charity work. His Dale Jr. Foundation in 2024 donated to dozens of youth-oriented nonprofits – including several cancer and illness charities – raising more than $1.2 million for causes ranging from food security to children’s health. For example, the foundation’s year-end giving included a substantial gift to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, fulfilling dreams of critically ill kids.
Earnhardt has also spearheaded the annual “Gloves Program,” in which drivers sport decorated gloves at Bristol and auction them for charity; in 2024 this effort raised nearly $80,000 for pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In short, his foundation explicitly links fan donations to making “a wish come true for a critically ill child” or providing medical support and meals for underprivileged kids. These initiatives underscore Earnhardt Jr.’s ongoing focus on pediatric causes and empowerment of youth through education and wellness programs.
Erik Jones’s “Window of Hope” for Breast Cancer
Driver Erik Jones has taken on breast cancer awareness with his Window of Hope initiative. Originally created by Kurt Busch, the program replaces the usual black window net on one race car with a bright pink net each October to raise funds and visibility for breast cancer charities. In 2023 Jones expanded the program industry-wide – under his leadership the effort “doubled in size” and brought in over $50,000 for breast cancer detection and care. All autographed pink nets are auctioned after the race, with 100% of proceeds going to breast cancer charities.
Jones’s foundation has set an ambitious goal of raising $125,000 in 2025 to further support women and families battling breast cancer. In interviews he has called Window of Hope “an honor” and a way for the racing community to unite around life-saving research (also crediting longtime sponsor Thermal Control Products for donating the pink nets).
NASCAR Foundation Giveathon and Children’s Health Programs
Beyond individual drivers, NASCAR’s own charitable arm continues promoting a community-wide giving campaign. The NASCAR Foundation’s “NASCAR Day Giveathon” is a 37-hour crowdfunding drive held each spring. In its inaugural year it raised over $600,000 for local nonprofits. The foundation explicitly prioritizes children’s medical needs, partnering with youth hospitals and child health programs nationwide.
In 2024 the Giveathon featured dozens of charities chosen by drivers and sponsors, and is expected to return in May 2025 with similarly urgent appeals for kids’ causes. (The NASCAR Foundation also runs programs like the Speediatrics Fun Day festivals and school supply drives to benefit sick children, underscoring its year-round focus on youth.)
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Boosts Victory Junction
Another long-running effort is Kyle Petty’s Charity Ride Across America. Every spring Petty and hundreds of riders travel thousands of miles, raising money for Victory Junction, a camp he co-founded for children with serious illnesses. The 2024 ride began in South Dakota and ended at Victory Junction, marking the camp’s 20th anniversary.
Petty noted that the Ride is “always a week I look forward to and never forget,” and that finishing at Victory Junction made the journey “truly an emotional moment”. Since 1995 the Charity Ride has raised over $22 million for Victory Junction and other children’s causes. Victory Junction uses those funds to give free camp experiences to kids with complex medical conditions (over 125,000 camp stays to date). Each year, sponsors and fans along the route contribute via on-board collections and special promotions, making the Petty Ride one of NASCAR’s most successful long-term charity events.
Other Drivers Supporting Community and Veterans
Outside these flagship efforts, many drivers quietly donate time or funds to charity. Former Cup champion Jeff Burton, now a broadcaster, serves on the board of the Armed Forces Foundation and frequently meets with service members at races. He told NASCAR media that speaking with military families “is not a big deal” – it’s something he does because veterans have given so much. Clint Bowyer, who hails from Emporia, Kansas, runs the 79 Fund, giving back to the children of his hometown.
Bowyer’s fund has supported everything from school supplies to building a $1 million community center on the county fairgrounds. As the season progresses, others like Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace will similarly use their platforms and special race paint schemes to support causes, from youth education to anti-bullying campaigns. In short, the NASCAR community continues a tradition of service: every year multiple drivers nominate charities, visit hospitals and donate prize money to causes ranging from women’s shelters to traffic safety.
Looking ahead, the charitable momentum shows no sign of slowing. Throughout 2025 fans can expect new charity auctions (such as auctioning race-used cars or memorabilia) and special events tied to NASCAR races. The drivers and the NASCAR Foundation have already signaled that causes like children’s health, cancer research and support for families will remain a priority. As Petty put it about Victory Junction, “to know we have kept [my son’s] dream alive…meant the absolute world” – and every year, NASCAR’s stars work to give young fans and families a reason to feel that way.
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