At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Erik Jones introduced the Erik Jones animal welfare initiative by revealing a new Oscar Jones plush toy through the Erik Jones Foundation. The collectible, inspired by Jones’s own dog Oscar and created in collaboration with Ultimate Canine LLC, aims to raise funds and awareness for animal welfare causes starting this weekend in Indianapolis.
Partnership Unveiled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The launch event featured a cheerful appearance from eight puppies representing Ultimate Canine, as they joined Jones in the media center to celebrate the debut of the Oscar Jones plush. The collectible toy will be easily accessible to fans, available for purchase both at the NASCAR Classics merchandise hauler on-site and through Erik Jones’s online store. Portions of the toy’s sales will go directly to supporting the Erik Jones Foundation, particularly programs related to animal welfare.
Erik Jones expressed his excitement for the project, stating,
“Something we’ve been working on a long time, and we’ve been having fun with it this weekend here in Indy. Happy to have some dogs here in the media center for everybody.”
—Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver
Expanding the Foundation’s Mission
Since establishing the Erik Jones Foundation in 2021, Jones has supported causes such as cancer research and childhood literacy. Yet, animal welfare has consistently remained central to the foundation’s goals, even if less visible. Motivated to spotlight this area, Jones decided to bring animal welfare efforts forward with this newest project.
He explained that teaming up with Ultimate Canine and company founder Julie Case provided a creative way to accomplish this. The Oscar Jones plush collection not only funds ongoing projects, but also serves to connect with groups focused on training and aiding working dogs. Part of these efforts will include supporting Ultimate Canine’s diverse services, which range from family dog training to local and even international police canine operations.
Personal Connections Spark Advocacy
Reflecting on his past involvement, Jones recalled working with a Michigan-based canine training group and compared it with Ultimate Canine’s impressive range of programs. He expressed deep appreciation for the professionalism and comprehensive approach he has seen at Ultimate Canine’s facilities, describing the entire experience as “pretty neat.”
Jones also linked his personal history with dogs to his current passion, sharing,
“Growing up, we always had dogs, and funny enough, my mom was big into training our dogs. And so it was always something that was just interesting to me, to see the different groups that train these dogs and what goes into it, and I think just to see the potential of dogs,”
—Erik Jones, NASCAR Driver
Driving Progress in Animal Welfare
Jones believes that dogs’ skills and adaptability are often underestimated. Through the collaborative effort with Ultimate Canine and the proceeds from the Oscar plush toy, he hopes to showcase canine potential and further amplify his foundation’s commitment to animal causes. The initiative marks another meaningful chapter for the Erik Jones Foundation, bringing together fans, animal advocates, and local partners to expand the reach and impact of its work in Indianapolis and beyond.
As the Erik Jones animal welfare initiative continues to grow, the foundation aims to inspire canine training organizations, promote responsible support for animal-related programs, and engage the racing community in supporting these vital efforts. The new plush toy symbolizes not just a fundraising item, but a fresh approach to connecting people with the broader mission of animal welfare.
