Beat the Heat uses drag racing as a platform to promote safer communities and educate the public concerning the differences between street racing and drag racing. Police officers and firefighters claim membership in more than 30 states with international members in Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia. The original Beat The Heat was started by Sgt. Don Robertson of the Jacksonville, Fla., Sheriff's Department in 1984.

Darrell Gwynn Foundation is dedicated to preventing, providing for, and ultimately curing spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the foundation assists in the funding of targeted research and is presided over by Darrell Gwynn, owner of the Gwynn Racing Top Fuel dragster. Gwynn, the 1983 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster season champion, was a leading Top Fuel dragster driver prior to sustaining career-ending injuries that left him a quadriplegic.

DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women) provides financial and emotional support to individuals injured in drag racing accidents. Since 1985, this volunteer organization has provided more than $2.25 million in financial assistance to more than 500 racing families.

Racing for Cancer Research efforts use the highly powerful stage of NHRA Drag Racing to build awareness and break down barriers to increase prevention and early detection. Reaching out both on and off the track, the Coughlin family is leading the charge for cancer research. 100 percent of all money raised goes directly to cancer research. Additional information can be found at www.teamjegs.com.

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