Founded by Martin Truex Jr., who is set to retire from NASCAR, the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation has played a crucial role in the battle against cancer. The foundation organizes various cancer awareness initiatives and fundraising efforts, with its most notable event being the “Catwalk for a Cause.”
This event was a dream project envisioned by MTJ and his late girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, a passionate advocate for women facing ovarian cancer and children dealing with pediatric cancer. Even a year after her passing, the NASCAR community continues to honor Pollex for her charitable contributions to cancer awareness. Rackley-Willie Allen Racing paid tribute to her legacy with their #25 truck during the Kubota Tractor 200 in Kansas.
Sherry Pollex is riding shotgun in Dawson Sutton’s truck
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Launched in 2010, ‘Catwalk for a Cause’ is a charity fashion gala that unites the NASCAR community in the fight against childhood cancer. The gala has enjoyed over a decade of success and recently celebrated its 14th edition, featuring numerous NASCAR stars and their partners walking the runway. During the event, the MTJ Foundation connects their kids with NASCAR drivers and their significant others. A touching moment featured Kyle Larson and his spouse Katelyn as they walked the ramp.
NASCAR drivers and teams frequently seek ways to engage in the meaningful work initiated by Pollex. In a similar spirit, Rackley W.A.R. showcased Sherry Pollex’s name on Dawson Sutton’s No. 25 Chevy truck during the Kansas race to honor her legacy and that of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation.
The team expressed their pride on X, stating, “We are very proud and honored to fly the name of Sherry Pollex on the No. 25 #NASCAR Truck of @dawsonsutton26 on Friday. Sherry has deep roots in NASCAR. She battled cancer for over a decade and was well-known for her charitable work in the fight against the disease.”
We are very proud and honored to fly the name of Sherry Pollex on the No. 25 #NASCAR Truck of @dawsonsutton26 on Friday.
Sherry has deep roots in NASCAR. She battled cancer for over a decade and was well-known for her charitable work in the fight against the disease. pic.twitter.com/lCJu3tAc7u
— Rackley W.A.R. (@Rackley_WAR) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rack
Dawson Sutton commenced the race from 5th place after recently taking over the driving responsibilities from Ty Dillion. The team announced that the 18-year-old would compete in the remaining races of the season. Although the specifics are unclear, many believe this decision stems from Dillion’s lackluster performance, having only achieved two top-10 finishes this year.
Although Dillion won’t be behind the wheel, he will remain with the team in a mentoring role for Dawson. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am thankful to everyone at Rackley W.A.R. for the opportunity to make my return to the Truck Series. I look forward to mentoring Dawson for the remainder of this season and am very excited to focus on my future plans behind the wheel in 2025.”
Dawson, on the other hand, displayed considerable potential during today’s Kansas race, finishing 5th behind Honeycutt, Eckes, Riggs, and Heim. In his previous two races, Sutton placed 28th at North Wilkesboro and improved to 18th at Nashville. Therefore, achieving a Top 5 finish in Kansas is a noteworthy accomplishment for the young driver, adding to Sherry Pollex’s impactful legacy in the community.
Pollex’s unwavering commitment to the battle against cancer
Beyond her relationship with MTJ, Pollex shares a profound connection with NASCAR. Her father, Greg Pollex, competed in Late Models before transitioning to team ownership. His team, PPC Racing, clinched the Xfinity Series championship in 2000 with Jeff Green. In 2007, Pollex and MTJ established the foundation aimed at assisting children and families affected by pediatric cancer, and in 2010, they initiated Catwalk for a Cause.
The MTJ Foundation’s website reports that since its inception, “Catwalk for a Cause” has successfully raised over five million dollars for pediatric and ovarian cancer initiatives. Furthermore, Pollex herself was diagnosed with advanced Stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2014. After enduring a grueling battle and undergoing 17 rounds of chemotherapy, she was declared cancer-free in 2016, inspiring others with her optimistic attitude during treatment.
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Following her recovery, Pollex resolved to transform her experience with ovarian cancer into a support system for other women. She launched SherryStrong.org, a dedicated platform designed to empower women through body awareness. The site focuses on helping women recognize the symptoms of ovarian cancer and explore how complementary therapies, such as integrative and holistic practices, can complement conventional medical treatments.
In 2021, Pollex faced a recurrence of cancer, which had spread to one of her lungs. The progression was swift and deemed resistant to treatment. Throughout this challenging journey, she remained a fervent ambassador in the fight against the disease.
She stated, “It’s maybe not what I would have chosen for myself — nobody really wants to be the poster child for any type of cancer — but maybe I’m supposed to go through all this so I can pave the way for other women. On some days, that can be a really hard pill to swallow. But on other days, it’s like, ‘You know, I’ve been given this really important role in this life, and if I’m going to leave a legacy behind and help other people, then I need to do”
it 100 percent.
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Her efforts continue to motivate and assist numerous individuals.
What is your opinion on the contributions of Sherry Pollex?
