The Jeff Gordon Foundation originated in 1999 with a mission to support the physical, social and intellectual needs of children and their families. During the month of October, Gordon, through his An Evening with Jeff Gordon dinner which included the opportunity to bid on a Signature Edition Jeff Gordon Monte Carlo and his 3rd Annual Go-Kart Challenge, raised nearly $300,000 for the Foundation. In addition to these contributions, the Foundation donated $60,000 to the Hendrick Marrow Foundation. For his efforts assisting charitable organizations, Gordon has been named the 2003 Fourth Quarter NASCAR USG Person of the Year. The Jeff Gordon Foundation supports Rileys Hospital for Children, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Hendrick Marrow Foundation. For the purpose of determining the NASCAR USG Person of the Year Award winner, the NASCAR Winston Cup season has been divided into four quarters in which drivers are nominated for their off-track efforts. A select group of panelists will select one of the four quarterly finalists as the NASCAR USG Person of the Year. This award will be presented the week of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Awards Ceremony in New York City, along with a prize of $100,000. The prize will be divided evenly between the driver and the charity of his/her choice. The 2003 First, Second and Third Quarter NASCAR USG Person of the Year winners were Ricky Craven, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett, respectively. In addition to the NASCAR USG Person of the Year, USG also sponsors the USG Driver of the Race Award, which goes to the eligible driver who wins each of the 36 NASCAR Winston Cup championship events. Each USG Driver of the Race Award winner receives $2,500 with an additional $2,500 going to the charity of his/her choice.(NASCAR PR)(11-5-2003)
