51FIFTY-sponsored award revealed during June 6 WCSCHOF induction ceremonies
SONOMA, Calif. (June 6, 2024) – 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.
“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 help 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 communities
2023
- Kurt Busch Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation, non-profits operating on behalf of military outreach and youth sports and educational charities
2022
- The Sonoma Raceway chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charities, which has distributed more than $6.8 million to qualified Sonoma County, Calif. youth groups
2021
- Mike Curb, recording executive, racing industry sponsor and West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee
The 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.
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 nearly $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
Media Contact:
Owen A. Kearns
okearns@bak.rr.com
661-342-2983
About 51FIFTY
51FIFTY is power! Power to overcome, power to persevere, the power to set your life on the course of success. When you’re faced with the challenge’s life throws at you, you focus and do what is needed to go beyond what is required. Stand up, stand firm, believe, make it happen and live through the madness, knockin’ doors down along the way!
51FIFTY represents the lifestyle we choose to live, to have confidence in ourselves, to not let anyone or anything stop us, to overcome all adversity. We choose to be who we’re meant to be. We help others with empathy, compassion and honor. We see a world that is destined for greatness when we lift each other up rather than tearing each other down.
We choose to help, focus on community and inspire those around us. We are 51FIFTY!
Contact:
Jason VanDusen
51FIFTY Enterprises
jvandusen@51fiftyltm.com
925-980-7673