The NASCAR Foundation, which last month raised $678,405 through its Gainbridge NASCAR Day Giveathon, has been named the 2024 Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year, presented by 51FIFTY.
Founded in 2006 by the late Betty Jane France, the 501(c)3 national charity impacts children’s lives through the Speediatrics Children’s Fund and the annual Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The Foundation has impacted more than 1.7 million children, giving $46 million to children in need.
The Foundation has established racing-themed Speediatrics Children’s Care units at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Fla. and the Homestead Hospital in South Florida.
The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award is voted annually to the NASCAR fan in recognition of children’s charitable efforts in their community.
The award was accepted by NASCAR Vice Chaiman Mike Helton, who said, “Betty Jane would be very proud of this. Tonight is very special. We’ll take this plaque back (to Daytona Beach) and celebrate it with the whole (NASCAR) family.”
“I am so proud of what Carlos Vieira has brought with his Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year honor,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. “As we enter our fourth year of recognition of individuals and charities that are dedicated to helping others in our country, I look upon this year’s recognition as one of the very greats.
“Betty Jane France, who founded the NASCAR Foundation many years ago was a close and dear friend for more than 50 years, before her passing in 2016. Her vision carries through with the success The Foundation enjoys today. Simply put, this is an extremely deserving recognition that warms my heart.”
In making the Philanthropist of the Year award presentation, 51FIFTY’s Jason VanDusen said, “This award is so much more than an annual presentation or a trophy. It is a movement, it’s a fire that should ignite in each of us to do more. Stemming from the book written by Carlos Vieira where he tells the story of his Knockin’ Doorz Down, starting a foundation helping families, starting 51FIFTY to light a fire in others and never stopping to say ‘why?’ Because he already knew why.”
Winners of the award are:
2024
The NASCAR Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the delivery of health and wellness programs and services to children in racing communities2023
Kurt Busch Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation, non-profits operating on behalf of military outreach and youth sports and educational charities2022
The Sonoma Raceway chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charities, which has distributed more than $6.8 million to qualified Sonoma County, Calif. youth groups2021
Mike Curb, recording executive, racing industry sponsor and West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inducteeThe Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of The Year award was brought to life by Carlos Vieira, a business man, an entrepreneur, a retired racecar driver, a father and a philanthropist. Carlos Vieira has spent years of his life living the madness, in which he has overcome obstacles and adversities throughout the years to become the success he is today.
And with that success he has been given opportunities to help others along the way. He founded the Carlos Vieira Foundation in 2010 and began the great works of helping families living with autism, mental illness and drug addiction, through programs such as Race For Autism, Race 2B Drug Free and the Race To End The Stigma campaigns.
Vieira captured all of this in his book Knockin’ Doorz Down, released in 2020, the real life story of breaking through the darkness of addiction and finding redemption. He continues to live this life of philanthropy and is actively encouraging others to follow suite. This award is a representation of that mindset. To put others first, to lift others up and to always do what we can to help when help is needed.
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(left to right) Jason VanDusen, 51FIFTY; Carlos Vieira, 51FIFTY, Mike Helton, Vice Chairman NASCAR; 51FIFTY presenters Kimberlin Alvardo and Michelle Jimenez. – Dennis Mattish image
Highlights of the induction ceremonies will be broadcast later this summer, network, air dates and broadcast times to be announced.
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
The Hall is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. The Hall has raised more than $1 million during the past 6-1/2 years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes.
For more information on the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame visit: www.WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
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