CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 1, 2006) – Every year NASCAR drivers trade their firesuits for formal wear for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. This year, several drivers and other celebrities in attendance will donate articles of clothing to The NASCAR Foundation Red Carpet Charity Auction that is scheduled to launch online immediately following the start of tonight’s ceremonies.

The Awards Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Waldorf=Astoria’s Grand Ballroom. SPEED will broadcast a live Awards Ceremony pre-show, “NASCAR Takes Manhattan,” beginning at 6 p.m., while TNT will air the ceremony at 9 p.m.

The 10-day online auction, which launches shortly after TNT’s broadcast begins, will allow fans to bid on several articles of clothing worn by some of NASCAR’s biggest stars including Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton and Ray Evernham. Johnson’s wife, Chandra, and Kenseth’s wife, Katie, are donating their dresses while Burton’s wife, Kim, is donating her watch for the auction.

NASCAR.com reporter Shannon Wiseman’s shirt and NASCAR President Mike Helton’s Tissot watch will also be auctioned off as part of The NASCAR Foundation Red Carpet Charity Auction.

The NASCAR Foundation, which supports a wide range of charitable industry-based initiatives, will donate the proceeds raised from the sale of each item to the driver or celebrity’s charity of choice. Fans can visit www.nascar.com/foundation for more information or to bid on the items listed above and more.