As part of the 25th anniversary of the NASCAR Busch Series, Richmond International Raceway joined with NASCAR President Mike Helton, former champions, series greats, current drivers, teams and fans for an auction to benefit former NASCAR Busch Series champion Sam Ard during the May 2006 NASCAR weekend. The two-day auction raised more than $36,000 to help assist Sam and Jo Ard with medical expenses.

Born in 1939, Sam Ard is one of the most successful drivers in the NASCAR Busch Series history. In just a three-year, 92-race career, Ard won 22 races and back-to-back championships.

Ard, a two-time winner at Richmond International Raceway, won a series-record 10 races in 1983, putting his name in the history books. That same year, he had 23 top-five finishes in just 35 starts, which lead to his first NASCAR Busch Series championship.

In 1984, Ard won the championship by more than 400 points despite missing the final race of the season because of career-ending injuries he suffered in a race at Rockingham.

Ard, who is now retired and lives in Asheboro, North Carolina, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease last May, while his wife, Jo was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that could cause her to become blind.

"As part of the 25th Anniversary of the NASCAR Busch Series, Richmond International Raceway is proud to honor a champion who has helped make the series what it is today, said Doug Fritz, track president. "We owe a special thanks to the drivers, race teams, tracks and the entire NASCAR community for their support and donations for the auction. The fan support throughout the auction shows that NASCAR is one big family, from the drivers to the teams and fans."

Items auctioned included a new 2006 Harley-Davidson XL1200L Sportster motorcycle and NASCAR leather jacket donated by NASCAR President Mike Helton; other items donated included autographed race worn driver gloves, autographed diecasts, autographed sheetmetal and a championship ring donated by former NASCAR Busch Series champion Jack Ingram.

The money will go directly to the Sam Ard Care Fund. Fans who wish to donate directly to the fund can do so by sending a check to the address below:

Sam Ard Care Fund
Acct# 68212-03
Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 780004
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578