Online auction under way to benefit Sam Ard Fund

I am asking you to please at least check out the items up for auction. This is a major undertaking by the drivers and Motor Racing Outreach, and is a great testament to the kind of fans that NASCAR draws. What other sport do you know of that would do something like this for a retired driver?

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For the next three weeks, NASCAR fans have the opportunity to do two good things at once -- buy a cherished collectible, plus lend a hand to one of the sport's pioneers.

An online auction that opened Saturday features autographed memorabilia from numerous Sprint Cup Series drivers. It's a joint effort by the NASCAR Foundation and Motor Racing Outreach, with all proceeds benefiting the Sam Ard Fund.

Ard, the 1983-84 Nationwide Series champion, is battling Alzheimer's disease and financial woes. His wife, Jo, is in a battle of her own, against a degenerative eye disease.

This pas Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, another two-time Nationwide Series champion, Kevin Harvick (2001 and 2008), donated a van to Ard's son, Robert, for conveyance to his father.

Items available in the online auction include autographed driver suits from Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, two-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Kyle Petty, Denny Hamlin, defending Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday, Ryan Newman, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson.

The Sam Ard Fund auction closes at noon ET on Nov. 17. Other items will become available during the next three weeks.

The Sam Ard Fund auction page