A holiday tradition pitted thousands of NASCAR fans with their favorite drivers on Tuesday night as the 19th annual Stocks for Tots was held in Mooresville.
MOORESVILLE, N.C.-- A holiday tradition pitted thousands of NASCAR fans with their favorite drivers on Tuesday night as the 19th annual Stocks for Tots was held in Mooresville. The event raises money for S.C.A.N., an organization to help stop and prevent child abuse.
"It's really changed a lot. We've got more people, different locations, but I've been here every year since its inception," said former NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace.
The event gives racing fans a chance to get up close to their favorite drivers and get a couple of autographs on a variety of odd objects.
Joe Michael traveled down to the event from Virginia to get the drivers’ autographs.
“The driver postcards, NASCAR handouts, whatever you want to call them, they're easy to carry around. It’s a lot easier to get around than a tire."
Michael was referring to Eddie Nau, who was standing behind him in line.
"I decided to get a tire signed. I moved here from Long Island, N.Y. last year and I'm going to start filling up [my] bar with NASCAR memorabilia,” Nau said.
While a fun event, it's for a serious cause. It benefits S.C.A.N., or Stop Child Abuse Now. Last year, 30 kids in the region died from child abuse.
Former Penske racing president Don Miller started “Stocks for Tots” and just received the Home Depot Humanitarian award for his work.
"S.C.A.N. goes directly to the heart of problem. It works with the parents. It stops it before it gets out of control," said Miller.
For the drivers, while not like being on the race track, it's a grueling couple of hours of signing autographs and meeting fans.
"It definitely is tough. You're signing away and you've got flash bulbs from people taking pictures, but it's all for a good cause," explained NASCAR driver Kurt Busch.
"When you're at the races at the car, you're by yourself for three hours. [It’s] a lot of intensity, but when you get to see all of these people come by that support you, that's the cool thing," added Wallace.
The crowds appeared smaller this year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t make the event and fans were asked not only to make a $10 donation but also to bring a toy worth at least $10.
The event’s goal was to raise $200,000.