Stewart to launch Charity Foundation at MIS.

Reigning NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has formed his own charitable foundation. The Tony Stewart Foundation was created to raise funds that will then be primarily distributed to organizations that help care for critically ill children, as well as to lend support to families of race car drivers who have been injured in motorsports.

Specific charities that will benefit from the Tony Stewart Foundation will be the Victory Junction Gang Camp, Ronald McDonald Children's Charities and the Make-A-Wish Foundation - all of which have a long-standing relationship with Stewart.

"The foundation is something that I've wanted to do for quite awhile," said Stewart. "We've raised money for charity before, but it was always a deal here and then a deal there. We never had anything that was ongoing. With the foundation now in place, our fund-raising can be sustained year-round. More people, at various times throughout the year, can now be helped."

Stewart's first charitable contribution from the foundation that bears his name comes Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. There, Stewart is making his first NASCAR Busch Series start in four-and-a-half years for Chance 2 Motorsports - the team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. - in the Cabela's 250. Stewart will receive 50 percent of the winnings, with Chance 2 receiving the other 50 percent. Stewart's share of the purse, regardless of where he finishes, will be donated to his recently formed foundation, whereupon the money will then be granted to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Also going to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation will be Stewart's race-worn fire suit and helmet.

"Driving for Junior's team meant that the Dale Earnhardt Foundation would naturally be the first recipient of any funds we raised from running the Busch race," said Stewart. "It's an understatement to say that Dale meant a lot to everyone in the garage area. I'm no exception. Making our first donation to the Dale Earnhardt Foundation just seemed like the right thing to do. They're in the business of helping people too."

Those wishing to make tax-deductible contributions to the Tony Stewart Foundation can do so via the following address:

Tony Stewart Foundation
5671 West 74th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46278