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- 3rd Friday of May
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NASCAR Day revs up support for children’s charities every third Friday in May. Established by the NASCAR Foundation, this annual event rallies fans, drivers, and partners to make a difference. Get involved by donating, participating in events, or spreading awareness for a worthy cause.
Want to sponsor NASCAR Day? Learn how
Expected NASCAR Day Deals
As a ‘Cause’ holiday, NASCAR Day focuses on fundraising rather than commercial deals. The primary ‘promotion’ is the annual campaign by the NASCAR Foundation to raise funds and awareness for children’s causes. Fans can often purchase special merchandise, participate in online auctions, or make direct donations through the Foundation’s website (nascarfoundation.org). Corporate partners like Coca-Cola, Ford, and Chevy frequently offer donation match programs or contribute a portion of sales from specific products to the Foundation during the month of May. Look for opportunities to donate at track events or through official NASCAR channels. We will update this page with confirmed live fundraising initiatives as May 15 approaches.
Platform Guide for NASCAR Day
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NASCARDay to share how you’re supporting children’s charities. Engage with official NASCAR Foundation updates.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NASCARDay. Share stories of impact and encourage friends to donate.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NASCARDay. Post visuals of past events or creative ways you’re contributing to the cause.
NASCAR Day Hero
Bill France Sr.
History of NASCAR Day
The first NASCAR Day was commemorated in 2003 by the NASCAR Foundation. An acronym for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, the foundation aimed to raise funds for children’s welfare whilst celebrating the racers, crew, companies/sponsors, and the legions of fans all over the world. NASCAR, founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, is an auto racing sanctioning and operating company. It is most known for its stock car racing event that takes place not only in the U.S., but also in Mexico, Europe, and Canada. Every year, NASCAR endorses more than 1,500 races at 100 tracks.
NASCAR Day takes place on the third Friday of every May. Much like baseball or derby, NASCAR is also a classic American pastime, and this is why the media covers the races extensively. Drivers and sponsors join hands with fans to bring attention and raise funds for children’s welfare. Apart from this, other common activities on NASCAR Day include a meet-and-greet with the drivers, raffles, and bumper-to-bumper races. There’s much skill involved in maneuvering a speeding car at curvy bends and within inches of another vehicle. The exhilaration is felt by the drivers and the audiences alike. The ultimate winner of the season is decided through a scoring system whereby the highest scorer wins.
NASCAR Day timeline
Around 15 race records are set at Daytona Beach’s racing track after races between Ransom Olds and Alexander Winton.
Bill France Sr., an American businessman, establishes NASCAR as a private U.S.-based company.
After several injuries and driver deaths, NASCAR modifies cars, by providing wider car ceilings and cockpits, to improve safety measures.
After the NASCAR rules change, drivers are made to choose and compete in only one of the three touring championships.
How Businesses Can Celebrate NASCAR Day
Local businesses can honor NASCAR Day by hosting small fundraising events or promoting donation matching programs. Restaurants could feature a special ‘Victory Lap’ menu item with a portion of proceeds going to the NASCAR Foundation. Auto repair shops or dealerships might offer a discount on services when customers make a donation to a children’s charity. Even small retailers could create a themed display and collect donations at the register, leveraging the widespread appeal of NASCAR to support a good cause.
NASCAR Day FAQs
When is NASCAR Day?
In 2027, NASCAR Day will be observed on Friday, May 21, continuing its tradition of rallying the racing community for a worthy cause. Mark your calendars to participate in this impactful day.
How many people watch NASCAR races?
NASCAR boasts a dedicated fanbase, with millions of viewers across the United States and globally enjoying its races. The sport’s broad appeal ensures a significant reach for the NASCAR Foundation’s fundraising campaigns each year.
What is the economic impact of NASCAR?
The sport of NASCAR is a significant economic driver, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions in revenue across various sectors. This robust financial ecosystem allows the NASCAR Foundation to amplify its philanthropic reach for children’s causes.
What is the NASCAR Foundation?
Dedicated to making a positive difference, the NASCAR Foundation is the official charity of NASCAR. It focuses on initiatives that provide medical treatment, educational opportunities, and a safe environment for children, supported by the entire racing industry.
How To Celebrate NASCAR Day
Go to a NASCAR event
Get your hands on tickets to a NASCAR event to fully immerse yourself into the experience. Read up on all the necessary information about the event to see what activities you can take part in.
Watch the races with loved ones
Make a day out of it by watching the races with your friends and family. Make snacks, place harmless bets, and enjoy the day full of excitement with everyone.
Donate to the funds
Donate to the funds that NASCAR supports. If you cannot donate, spread awareness about NASCAR’s welfare work, either on your social media accounts or by talking to people about it.
5 Facts About Race Cars That Will Blow Your Mind
F1’s extreme engine heat
An F1 race car generates extremely high engine heat, up to 1,832℉, which is more than enough to melt aluminum.
Race cars driving upside down
A race car has the ability to drive upside down after it reaches a certain speed.
Your car made from a race car
It is highly likely that many parts of your car might have been made from recycled race car parts.
Extremely heavy fuel consumption
A race car can consume about 65–80 gallons of fuel to reach incredibly high speeds, up to 300 mph in three seconds.
Ordinary cars in car racing
Earlier times saw ordinary cars competing in car racing but, before long, special cars were being designed for racing, like the Bugatti Type 35.
Why We Love NASCAR Day
It’s a celebration of excitement
There’s much to be said about the feeling of excitement that grips you while watching time-sensitive races. From the adrenaline rush at the starting line to the patience in between the laps to the nerve-wracking exhilaration at the end of the race, NASCAR events call for a combination of thrilling anticipation and calming patience. Now, where else would you get the best of both these worlds?
It’s a celebration of togetherness
NASCAR brings together a great number of people from different backgrounds. What’s wonderful is the shared sense of community that binds the audience together, no matter who is supporting whom.
It’s a celebration of welfare
It is always important to remember the less fortunate. This is the reason why the popularity of NASCAR helped shed light on important causes and charities.


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