Kyle Larson recently took part in a Kyle Larson charity event to honor the legacy of Sherry Pollex, the late partner of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. The Catwalk for a Cause event was held on Tuesday by Speedway Children’s Charities and brought together NASCAR stars and NFL personalities to support families affected by serious health challenges.
Sherry Pollex died in 2023 after a nine-year fight with ovarian cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she worked tirelessly to support others, establishing the Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic and launching the Catwalk for a Cause fundraiser in 2009 to raise awareness and assistance for children with critical illnesses.
Prominent NASCAR Figures Participate in Event to Support Families
The 2025 edition of Catwalk for a Cause featured many notable NASCAR personalities, including Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Samantha Busch, Joey Logano, John Hunter Nemechek, and Daniel Hemric. Larson and his wife, Katelyn Larson, took part in the fashion show catwalk alongside children battling cancer, heart defects, or affected by IVF treatments. Their participation symbolized solidarity with the families benefiting from the event.
Larson shared his experience on Instagram with images from the stage, expressing his admiration for Sherry Pollex’s vision and the hope the event brings to families. He captioned his post:
“Honored to be a part and walk alongside these kids at Catwalk For Causes last night. Sherry’s vision brought so much hope, love, and strength to so many families, and I’m grateful that through the @kylelarsonfoundation, among others, we can keep that spirit alive.”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
The event was supported by several organizations including the Kyle Larson Foundation, Samantha and Kyle Busch’s Bundle of Joy foundation, and Greg Olsen’s HEARTest Yard. Following the catwalk, a silent and live auction took place at the new Ten Tenths Motor Club, raising more than $450,000 to aid the cause.
Kyle Larson Reflects on Challenges at Bristol Motor Speedway Race
In a separate note, Kyle Larson recently discussed the difficulties he faced during a recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The high-banked short track presents a unique challenge to drivers who must constantly adjust their strategies to deal with tight racing conditions and traffic on the oval.
Larson spoke candidly on NASCAR’s Inside the Race podcast with analyst Mamba Smith about the technical challenges. He explained how even minor handling issues could make racing at Bristol particularly stressful and demanding for drivers.
“If your car is not handling right, you know, if you’re too tight, you know, then you’re trying to create different angles or different speeds and different points, and it becomes just really difficult. Same if you’re too loose, too. I mean, it’s not a fun place to be kind of bouncing on your right rear through one and two and just being sharp and on the edge of you losing grip,”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Larson qualified fifth for the event but finished 32nd in the race. Despite this setback, he remains third in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings with 3,032 points, maintaining a 24-point lead over the playoff cutoff line.
Event’s Broader Impact on Families and Future Support
The Catwalk for a Cause event serves as a vital platform to raise awareness and funding for families affected by life-threatening health issues, continuing Sherry Pollex’s mission to provide hope and support through community and advocacy. The collaboration between foundation partners and NASCAR drivers like Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch exemplifies the racing community’s commitment to social causes beyond the track.
As the charitable efforts grow, the funds generated through auctions and foundations enable clinics like Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic to provide integrative care options to patients battling cancer and other serious illnesses. The event not only honors Sherry Pollex’s legacy but also inspires ongoing action from the racing world and fans to support children and families facing health crises.
