SPECIAL EVENT (CHARLOTTE) - Second Annual NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive Urges Fans To 'Roll Up Their Sleeves And Help Save A Life'

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, fans across the nation will have a chance to roll up their sleeves and help save a life at the Second Annual NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive.

Last year, the inaugural drive collected over 2,500 pints of blood and added 650 names to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry at 14 participating tracks. With 24 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and Weekly Series tracks on board and spokesperson Jimmie Johnson at the wheel, this year’s drive should prove to be an even bigger success.

“We are looking forward to the Second Annual NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive, and building on last year’s success,” said NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson. “I encourage fans everywhere to roll up their sleeves and help save a life on Sept. 11th.”

The NASCAR Foundation, Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Hendrick Marrow Program have partnered on the Annual Blood and Marrow Drive, which seeks to provide unique experiences at many different tracks that bring out the goodwill and community pride in all race fans. The drive helps serve a desperate need for blood and marrow donations – more than 38,000 blood donations are needed per day and over 6,000 people are searching for a marrow match on any given day.

“The American Red Cross applauds The NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive for its outstanding efforts to help save lives,” said Mark W. Everson, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “Giving blood is giving the gift of life – an easy way to make a difference to people in need.”

In addition to giving blood, fans are also encouraged to join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of volunteer marrow donors.

“I am proud that the Hendrick Marrow Program and the National Marrow Donor Program are taking part in The NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive. This is a great opportunity for NASCAR fans to support patients in need by donating blood and joining the NMDP Registry,” said Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner and founder of the Hendrick Marrow Program.

To help raise awareness leading up to Sept. 11, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams will run a special “Roll Up Your Sleeves” red decal at the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway (ESPN, 7:00 p.m. E.T.).

International recording group Smash Mouth, NASCAR President Mike Helton, Rusty Wallace and Jimmie Johnson lead the list of celebrities who have rolled up their sleeves and shown their support for the cause by sporting a red “Roll Up Your Sleeves” temporary tattoo. Fans visiting the track this weekend in Bristol can pick up their tattoo at The NASCAR Foundation booth in the display area at the dragway bridge. To learn more or find a participating track near you visit www.nascar.com/foundation.

About The NASCAR Foundation The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched the NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family. The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on the NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.

About Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chandra and Jimmie Johnson created the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. The mission of the foundation is to assist children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. Jimmie Johnson drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet in NASCAR’s top series, the NEXTEL Cup. He is the reigning NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion. For more information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.

About Hendrick Marrow Program Rick Hendrick established the Hendrick Marrow Program as a fund of The Marrow Foundation in 1997 following his diagnosis with leukemia. Although Mr. Hendrick never required a marrow transplant, he is committed to supporting the thousands of Americans who search the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry every day in hope of finding a lifesaving marrow donor. The Hendrick Marrow Program’s goals are to raise funds to support donor recruitment drives across the country and to assist patients with uninsured transplant-related expenses.