by Lisa DeSpain

My dog, Abby, is a huge Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fan. She has a collar with his car number and sponsors, a food dish, and a squeaky toy that she adores. When we are watching a race, and Dale, Jr. is interviewed, I don’t even have to look to see who’s speaking. Abby is up next to the TV watching and, I swear, listening to every word. She will even jump up to the screen and give his image kisses. I’m just glad our TV is in a cabinet, or we might need a new one as much as she adores “her” Dale, Jr.

To all the Dale, Jr. fans, I mean no disrespect at all. Dale, Jr. is a remarkable driver. It’s just that, neither my husband nor I are devoted members of the Earnhardt Nation, although my husband was a huge fan of the late Dale Earnhardt. I am a Tony Stewart fan, and have been since I first started following NASCAR five years ago. So, we aren’t really sure from where her fascination and hard core fandom come. It has been there since her first race. I once tried an experiment to see if it was just Dale, Jr., or if any NASCAR driver’s toy would do. We now refer to the experiment as, “The Great Jeff Gordon Massacre.” The Jeff Gordon #24 squeaky toy was gutted inside five minutes. The Dale Jr. #8 toy is still in play, two years later. The change in car number hasn’t even fazed her. If it has Dale, Jr. on it, she loves it. Any other driver, including my Tony Stewart stuff if not watched, gets severely shredded. I can’t explain it, but she knows what she likes, and who.

Of course, animals and pets have been a part of the NASCAR world since the early days, all the way back to Tim Flock and his monkey, Jocko Flocko. Animals are still semi-huge business for NASCAR. Every driver has his or her own line of merchandise for pets. You can deck your furry friend out for race day in collars, leashes, t-shirts, and bandanas, in the colors of your (or their!) favorite driver. You can entertain your little buddy with bowls, toys, and treats. Some even have motorcycle jackets. Abby looked pretty tough in hers, but she gave me a look that said plainly, “I don’t care if Dale, Jr. has one just like it, get this off before I’m forced to bite you!” She did, however, love the bandana, and wears it on race days. A percentage of the profits for some driver’s pet-centered merchandise goes to animal rescue groups, or to that driver’s foundation that supports animal assistance programs.

Two of the most famous drivers that have foundations to work with animal rescue and support, are Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle. A big part of The Ryan Newman Foundation’s focus is on companion animal welfare, and conservation of natural resources. They were the driving force behind the book, Pit Road Pets: NASCAR Stars & Their Pets, which benefits the Humane Society of Catawba County, NC. In fact, 100% of the net proceeds of the book go to the humane society’s capital campaign for the Ryan Newman Foundation S.N.I.P. Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic that serves the heart of NASCAR country in NC. It’s a wonderful book that gives a small glimpse into the lives of some of the biggest stars in the sport. It also highlights the necessity of adopting pets from shelters, and spaying or neutering pets.

Founded in 2005, The Greg Biffle Foundation strives to be an advocate to raise awareness and improve the well-being of animals. They donate to, and raise money for, the Humane Society in Iredell County, NC, as well as other humane societies, no-kill shelters, and spay and neuter clinics. Since 2006, they have published the NASCAR Pets Calendar as a fundraiser for the foundation, and have had overwhelming success. They say they are amazed by the enthusiastic response they have received from the fans and the NASCAR community. In fact, the calendars have become collector’s items and a must-have for any NASCAR fan.

Several other drivers, including Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt, have foundations that help support animal causes and wildlife conservation. So, the next time your cat just won’t let go of the bag of Ryan Newman treats, or your dog refuses to give back that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. squeaky toy, just remember that the purchase might help another animal that isn’t so fortunate as your friend. Go ahead and get the toy and the bandana for them. Just make sure you get their favorite driver. That Jeff Gordon toy was a sad sight.  After all, dogs and cats are NASCAR fans, too…just ask Abby.

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