Chicagoland Speedway to support PAWS Chicago with donation drive in the name of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

JOLIET, Ill. (September 12, 2017) — In recognition of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final season of full-time racing, Chicagoland Speedway has partnered with PAWS Chicago to pay tribute to his remarkable achievements both on and off the track. Taking Earnhardt’s deep love for his dogs into consideration, a donation drive will be held in his honor during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend Sept. 14-17.
 
All supplies collected for the Chicago-based animal shelter will be donated in the name of the acclaimed driver to support their efforts toward ending the overpopulation and euthanasia of homeless pets. In addition to the physical donation generated by NASCAR’s loyal fan base, Chicagoland Speedway will make a monetary contribution in Earnhardt’s name to commend his illustrious career.
 
In recent news, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have dumped an unprecedented amount of rain in Texas and Florida, resulting in flooding and displacing thousands of people and animals. With this level of destruction and homelessness, animals are in need of emergency sheltering. To assist in the aftermath of these tragedies, PAWS Chicago has mobilized an ongoing rescue effort to evacuate animals from the impacted areas. The pets rescued by PAWS Chicago were given up by their owners or had already been in local shelters before the hurricanes hit, freeing space to assist animals displaced by the devastating floods. More and more pets keep coming in every day.
 
PAWS Chicago, the Midwest’s largest No Kill humane organization, finds homes for more than 5,100 animals each year. With the influx of animals, the organization is in desperate need of wet dog and cat food and kitty litter.
 
Chicagoland Speedway is enlisting the help of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s passionate fan base in hopes of generating significant supplies for the many animals PAWS Chicago rescues each year including those saved during national disasters and tragedies like parts of our nation are currently facing.
 
Fans are encouraged to bring any of the items listed below to any of the four races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 14-17. Donations can be left at the Raceway Ministries Tent located on the northwest corner of the midway, before they are all transported to PAWS Chicago by the Chicagoland Speedway staff.
To ensure prompt use and allow for quality assurance, Chicagoland Speedway and PAWS Chicago ask that all donations be new, unused and unopened.
 
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway will take place on Sept. 17 as part of the four-race weekend Sept.14-17. The weekend will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 14 with the ARCA Racing Series followed by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, under the lights on Friday night. On Saturday, Sept. 16, the NASCAR XFINITY Series will hit the track as the precursor to Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series showdown, the first race in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
The complete 2017 NASCAR schedule at Chicagoland Speedway is as follows:
 
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Weekend
 
Thursday, Sept. 14        ARCA Racing Series SCOTT® 150
Friday, Sept. 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series The House 225
Saturday, Sept. 16        NASCAR XFINITY Series The House 300
Sunday, Sept. 17          Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Tales of the Turtles 400
 

Items being collected

Items for dogs:
·         Pill pocket treats
·         Biodegradable poop bags
·         Kong brand toys
·         Kong stuffing
·         Nylon leashes
·         Collars
·         Stainless steel dog bowls
·         Dog treats
·         Dry and wet dog or puppy food (any brand)
·         Dog crates
·         Dog brushes (new)
·         Virbac Epi-Soothe Shampoo
·         Large or long rope toys
·         Puppia brand soft harnesses for small dogs
 
Items for cats:
·         Pill pocket treats
·         Cat toys
·         Dry and wet cat or kitten food (any brand)
·         Litter boxes (9” x 13” x 2”) or aluminum disposable trays
·         Stainless steel cat bowls
·         Cat litter
·         Plastic cat carriers
·         Cat brushes (new)
 
General:
·         10-, 30- and 55-gallon garbage bags
·         Clean, new or used towels
·         Flat sheets and blankets (microfiber or fleece)
·         Mop heads
·         PETCO gift cards
·         Gas gift cards
·         Small paper plates
·         Rubber cleaning gloves
·         Paper towels
·         Window cleaning products