NASCAR DRIVERS JOIN DARRELL GWYNN FOUNDATION IN AWARENESS INITIATIVE

Race Cars, Trucks to bear Florida Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week logo at season-ending race

DAVIE, FL:  NASCAR drivers will join the Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) in a public education campaign geared toward preventing spinal cord injuries, it was announced today.  The collaboration will take place in conjunction with the second annual Florida Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week (FSCIAW), November 12-18, 2007.

In supporting the initiative, NASCAR drivers competing in the Ford Championship Weekend at Miami Homestead Speedway will bear a special Darrell Gwynn Foundation/ Florida Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week logo decal.  Culminating in season-ending races for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series, the Ford Championship Weekend takes place November 16-18, 2007 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Florida Spinal Cord Injury Awareness week is a collaborative outgrowth of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and its ongoing commitment to injury prevention through public education. Now in its second year, the 2007 campaign was led to formal recognition by resolution of the Florida legislature through the combined efforts of Senator Nan Rich (D) and Representative Rene Garcia (R). The campaign features a highly-visible series of activities including speaking engagements at Florida high schools, distribution of prevention-oriented collateral materials and wheelchair donations to spinal cord-injured Floridians. The program’s message is amplified throughout the state via public service announcements carried on television and radio. 

“It is exceptionally gratifying to receive the support of the NASCAR drivers in helping to prevent debilitating spinal cord injuries,” said Darrell Gwynn, president and founder of DGF.  “Last year, NASCAR champion Tony Stewart joined us in spreading the injury-prevention message.  Now, by displaying the FSCIAW logo on their race vehicles, we’ll have the entire field in all three major NASCAR series doing the same.”

Gwynn, a former NHRA world champion race car driver, became a quadriplegic himself after suffering a severe spinal cord injury during a 1990 crash.  He has since dedicated much of his personal time and energy toward preventing spinal cord injuries through education and to assisting those already impacted by paralysis.  Through collaboration with such entities as Chevrolet and GM Racing, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation has been able to promote its Quality of Life initiatives to NASCAR’s fan base of 75 million.  In 2007, DGF will have conducted wheelchair donations to financially-challenged spinal cord injured citizens during NASCAR Nextel Cup pre-race activities at Daytona International Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In adding to the week’s culmination, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will hold its longest-running major public fund-raising event, the Hot Rods and Reels™ Charity Fishing Tournament.  Slated for the infield lake at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17, 2007, the outing matches members of the general public with NASCAR drivers and other celebrities in a unique fishing contest.  Monies raised from the tournament go toward supporting the continuation of the Foundation’s education and Quality of Life programs.

About The Darrell Gwynn Foundation

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) is a certified non-profit 501(c)3 Agency.  DGF exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research.  DGF is also dedicated to injury prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children.  The Foundation helps improve the quality of life for those already afflicted with injury or illness, by providing necessary equipment or special services. Additional information about DGF is found at www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org.

Media Contact: Caren Berg or Michelle Friedman of Boardroom Communications at (954) 370-8999, or cberg@boardroompr.com, mfriedman@boardroompr.com