Motorsport America Spotlights DegaNation. “The Brand for the Fans”.

The DegaNation Foundation for Kids. The Brand for the Fans.

by Derek Jackson

DegaNation is an organization that is dedicated to bringing race fans together and creating a community centered around their love of the DegaNation experience. Through their events and online platform, they aim to provide a space where race fans can connect and participate in entertaining fundraising events for the DegaNation Foundation for Kids charity where 100% of all proceeds are directed to the charitable foundation and gifted directly to needy children.

With their love of racing, and helping others in need, Kris Roane and Cory Himel decided to combine the two back in 2011, and they created DegaNation to help underprivileged and disadvantaged children throughout their community making sure no child in need goes without a Christmas. With information garnered though local Churches and the local VFW and Lions Clubs, they work together to help bring together families in need for the Annual Halloween and Christmas parties for kids, making sure each child gets a trophy along with their gifts.

Always brainstorming ways to help raise money for less fortunate children, one of their first ventures at Talladega was the “womanless beauty contest”, with all the female ARCA drivers as judges raising $1,800 at that event alone. At their largest fundraiser last year at the famous racetrack, the DegaNation auction raised $19,000 for the Foundation. At last year’s auction, local Talladega preacher Claude Brown hand builds amazing deck chairs, wooden flags and swings that raised $1,900. The winning bidder of one item then re-donated that item back to the auction, and they immediately raised another $2,200 for the Foundation! This year the auction at the Talladega Spring Race raised $25,000 plus for the foundation!

The DegaNation Wives spend the whole year building the large gift baskets for the auction, and last year over 50 friends of DegaNation from surrounding States traveled to Harahan to help assemble the bikes and participate in the Christmas Parade. When one great idea leads to another, T-Shirt and merchandise sales, the annual poker run, hand crafted goods and locally made veterans flags for the auction, everyone agrees that it feels good to give to kids. During last year’s auction, Xfinity team owner and driver Jeremy Clements donated a Talladega “Hot Pass”, which netted $2,000 for the charitable foundation.

Speaking of drivers, over the years word has spread through the NASCAR garage about DegaNation, and many have shown up to celebrate in the festivities. Michael Waltrip spotlighted DegaNation on his pre-race TV show a few years ago, and that helped to fuel interest in the charitable foundation. That led to a parade of drivers, crews and crew chiefs visiting over the years. From Michael Waltrip to Danica Patrick to Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and Jeff Gordon have all stopped by to say hello. Interesting to note that the day after both Elliott’s and Reddick’s visit to DegaNation, they both wound up winning their respective Cup Race the following day!

Just a few short years ago in 2022, the longtime DegaNation cook, affectionately known as “Cookie”, had recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had to miss the race. The Saturday night before the big race, Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott were in attendance. Knowing that Cookie was Jeff Gordon’s #1 fan, Cory asked Jeff if he’d give Cookie a call to say hello. Cookie remarked to Jeff that “the one race I had to miss, I missed out on meeting my favorite driver”. Both agreed to meet the following year and said their goodbyes after the 15-minute chat. About 45 minutes later, Cookie’s daughter called back to give the unfortunate news that Cookie had passed away immediately following that fateful phone call. While all in attendance were happy that Chase won the race that Sunday, everyone’s heart and mind was on Cookie’s family back home.

Knowing that they’d soon need a new caterer, Cory spotted a line 45 deep outside of Bubbalicious BBQ and Catering and knew they’d be a great choice and decide to make his pitch to the owner Juan “Bubbalicious” Moncivais and he readily agreed. Juan then contacted his old friend from high school, Adam Livingston who runs A-1 Competiton BBQ in near-by Longbeach, MS and the Grand Champion cook agreed to join forces for the annual event. Together, they prepare incredible meals for the hundreds of wrist band holders of a traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the race weekend. Although Juan’s day job is an Algebra One teacher at John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, LA, he also loves cooking and making people happy.

As the foundation has grown, DegaNation now has over 100 people involved in the group. They work all year long to prepare for events with the Foundation. Besides the annual fundraiser auctions at Talladega, DegaNation also attends races at Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Texas and Watkins Glenn to help spread the word and raise awareness for the Foundation.

The DegaNation has many Talladega Superspeedway Infield camping spots available, and each spot comes with two infield admission wristbands. They’re offered at face value Talladega track pricing. Contact DegaNation to learn more by submitting a reservation request at The DegaNation Foundation

Being a part of DegaNation means that you’ll be a part in giving children in need a Christmas they’ll never forget. You’ll be a part of a community of passionate race fans who share your love for The DegaNation Foundation for Kids. Together, you can raise money for families in need through the various fundraising events at the Talladega race and other community events.

For more information about the foundation and how to participate, check DegaNation’s website at The DegaNation Foundation