Martin Truex Jr. is once again at the heart of an inspiring cause as the Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR cancer awareness fundraising campaign returns this summer, bringing together fans, survivors, and supporters on a national stage at Daytona. The powerful initiative, born from personal experience, channels the energy of NASCAR and its community to honor cancer heroes and generate crucial funds in the ongoing battle against cancer.
Personal battles inspire a wider mission
Back in 2014, Martin Truex Jr.’s life shifted dramatically when his longtime partner, Sherry Pollex, was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer. Over the course of grueling treatments, Truex witnessed the pain and exhaustion that cancer inflicts, not just on patients but on families as well. He recalled in a heartfelt account,
“She lost her hair and lost 27 pounds from her healthy weight of 120 pounds. She could barely walk from the living room to the kitchen in our home. It was one of the darkest times in our lives,”
—Martin Truex Jr., Driver. During this dark period, Truex and Pollex transformed their hardship into purpose, expanding the focus of their foundation from pediatric cancer to include advocacy and support for ovarian cancer patients.
Truex’s involvement was never passive. He stood by Pollex throughout her fight and supported her ambitions to create change. Their efforts shifted from personal healing to launching a public mission, using their experiences to improve the lives of others. Truex has reflected,
“You never think it will happen to someone you love. But when it does, it becomes everything,”
—Martin Truex Jr., Driver. Their foundation’s evolution showed how a private battle with illness can spark hope, activism, and generosity across communities.
Though Sherry Pollex sadly passed away in 2023, her impact on the cancer awareness movement endures through Truex, who continues to champion their shared cause. With the support of the NASCAR Foundation, he is amplifying this campaign and giving cancer survivors and victims a visible place of honor in the spotlight of one of America’s most beloved sports.
The return of “Honor a Cancer Hero” to the NASCAR stage
This year marks the sixth installment of the Honor a Cancer Hero initiative, a collaboration between the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and the NASCAR Foundation. This campaign allows fans to pay homage to anyone affected by cancer by bidding for a chance to have their loved one’s name featured on the cars competing in some of the most anticipated races. The auction, running online until June 9, lets supporters vie for spots on Cup and Xfinity Series cars at Daytona in August 2025, and on Truck Series vehicles at Darlington.
The project has already raised over $500,000 since 2020, funneling every dollar to the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation. For top bidders, the recognition goes beyond the pride of seeing a loved one’s name on a car; it includes VIP tickets to the Daytona or Darlington races, offering exclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with drivers, and access behind the scenes at the track. This blend of community fundraising and fan engagement has kept the campaign personal and meaningful, uniting the NASCAR universe in a drive for hope and healing.
As Dustin Long summarized,
“Martin Truex Jr. Foundation & #NASCAR Foundation again teaming up for online auction for fans to have their cancer hero’s name displayed on cars in Cup and Xfinity (Daytona in August) and Trucks (Darlington in August). Proceeds benefit both foundations.”
—Dustin Long, Journalist. This year’s event promises another emotional and memorable celebration of resilience, remembrance, and unity.
Sherry Pollex’s lasting influence
Through dazzling events and unwavering advocacy, Sherry Pollex showed that cancer’s imprint does not have to be defeat. Together with Martin Truex Jr., she cofounded SherryStrong, a platform to empower women confronting ovarian cancer with information and support. Their commitment fueled fundraising drives, supported the creation of a wellness center, and inspired innovative projects like Catwalk for a Cause, putting young cancer patients into the spotlight and celebrating their courage.
“My hope is that when other patients come in, there is this healing energy and peacefulness that comes over them. This isn’t a hospital. This is a place to come to get well and feel well. This is a place of hope.”
—Sherry Pollex, Advocate. Her vision of hope continues to guide every new campaign.
Truex honored their partnership, even after their personal relationship ended earlier in 2023, expanding the foundation’s programs to benefit children, women, and all those affected by cancer. The emphasis on holistic support, from physical care to mental wellness, has become central to their mission. As NASCAR throws its weight behind this year’s tribute, Truex remains intensely focused on extending Sherry’s mission and reaching even more cancer heroes and their families.
Nichole Krieger, Vice President & Executive Director of The NASCAR Foundation, described the emotional heart of the campaign:
“This program is one of our most rewarding initiatives, as we get to really visualize the impact we make on people’s lives and honor their loved ones by displaying their names on cars across the sport. Paying tribute to our cancer heroes and seeing how NASCAR has touched their lives is the reason we do all we can to continually support our racing communities,”
—Nichole Krieger, Vice President & Executive Director, The NASCAR Foundation. This approach has turned each event into a moment of tribute and communal pride.
Celebrating legacy: Truex’s ongoing commitment beyond the track
Martin Truex Jr. has not wavered in championing the Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR cancer awareness fundraising campaign, and is deeply moved by the impact it has achieved over the years.
“We are grateful to the fans, AdventHealth, and The NASCAR Foundation,”
—Martin Truex Jr., Driver. The campaign’s longevity and scope showcase how motorsports can be a vessel for real-world generosity and respect, placing cancer survivors and those lost at the center of a national community.
This year, while fans and race teams prepare for another stirring tribute at Daytona and Darlington, Truex’s name is also surfacing in headlines for a different reason. After retiring from full-time competition in 2024, Truex is selling his Lake Norman mansion for $7.5 million. The 14,379-square-foot estate sprawls across five acres of waterfront and features amenities including a private carriage house, entertainment lounge, gym, movie theater, panoramic lake views, and even a lakeside infinity pool and fire pit. The home mixes private luxury with the same sense of purpose Truex has shown in his outreach; it signals the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new role as advocate and philanthropist, as his legacy with the NASCAR and fundraising communities grows.
The campaign’s significance in the wider NASCAR community
Through steadfast personal commitment and community outreach, Martin Truex Jr. and the NASCAR Foundation have demonstrated how sports can honor real-life heroes. Their collaborative efforts—fuelled by the stories of individuals like Sherry Pollex and the thousands of names soon to be displayed on cars—remind fans, survivors, and all those touched by cancer that hope remains a driving force. This year’s campaign stands testament to the power of remembrance, engagement, and unity, promising to make the 2025 racing season at Daytona and Darlington not just about speed, but about celebrating strength and perseverance. As the movement grows and stories of lives touched by these efforts continue to emerge, the Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR cancer awareness fundraising campaign is ensuring that the heroes in the fight against cancer are never forgotten.
