DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- Daytona International Speedway will host its third annual NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive on Thursday, Sept. 11.

 

Daytona International Speedway will be among the 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide and local tracks on board for this year’s third annual NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive and will have some spectacular incentives for donors giving the gift of life.

 

The drive is a partnership between The NASCAR Foundation, Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Hendrick Marrow Program. The largest effort of its kind within the motorsports industry, The NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive has collected enough pints of blood to potentially save more than 17,000 lives since its launch in 2006.

 

Every donor who participates in the third annual NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive at DIS will receive a ticket to Daytona 500 Qualifying presented by Kroger on Sunday, Feb. 8 during DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009.

 

There will also be an enter to win contest for all participants at any NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive location for a meet and greet with 2006 Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson.

 

“We’re thrilled to take part of the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive,” Daytona International Speedway Robin Braig said. “This is a wonderful event to be involved in and we’re looking for this year’s event to be an even bigger success.”

 

Donors may register to give blood and/or sign up for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry at the Daytona 500 Club located right behind Gatorade Victory Lane.

 

Blood donations, which are being received by Florida’s Blood Centers, and marrow registrations, which will be handled by Kids Beating Cancer, Inc., will take place between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment in advance to donate at www.nascar.com/foundation or at www.fbcdonor.org (sponsor code 42970).