NASCAR, Swan Racing will help support Sandy Hook School
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: (L-R) Owner of Swan Racing Brandon Davis, Michael Waltrip, and Sandy Hook Fire Chief Bill Halstead pose for a photo at the unveiling of the #26 car to benefit victims of the Newtown, CT shooting at the 2013 NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
AP
Swan Racing team owner Brandon Davis, left, poses for a photo with auto racing driver Michael Waltrip, center, and Sandy Hook fire Chief Bill Halstead, right, after unveiling the car Waltrip will drive in the Daytona 500 during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Waltrip, the two-time Daytona 500 winner was set to drive the No. 30 Toyota in a one-race deal. The number instead will be changed to No. 26 to honor the victims of Sandy Hook, the school in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six adults were killed by a gunman on Dec. 14..(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: (L-R) Sandy Hook Fire Chief Bill Halstead, Owner of Swan Racing Brandon Davis, and Michael Waltrip speak at the unveiling of the #26 car to benefit victims of the Newtown, CT shooting at the 2013 NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. NASCAR will take its turn to remember the victims of the Newtown massacre.
NASCAR and Swan Racing announced on Thursday a special tribute to raise awareness and contributions for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund during the 2013 Daytona 500.
Swan Racing will change its No. 30 Toyota to No. 26 in honor of the 20 children and six adults killed in the shooting. The car will be driven by two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip and will feature a call-to-action decal encouraging the NASCAR community to make $10 donations by texting NEWTOWN to 80888.
The Sandy Hook School Support Fund, established jointly by United Way of Western Connecticut and Newtown Savings Bank, supports the healing process for the broader Newtown community including children, teachers, first responders, families, residents, mental health professionals, counselors and others.
NASCAR Chairman Brian France also announced he and his wife Amy would kick off the NASCAR industry support with a $50,000 donation that will be matched by The NASCAR Foundation.
“Being in Newtown last week and delivering a moment of happiness to that community was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” said France. “Looking out at a room of smiling faces amidst the aftermath of a horrible tragedy was very powerful.”
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