NASCAR’s Kim Coon to Emcee New Fireside Chat Format; Michael Waltrip Returns for Annual Fundraising Celebration
The SMA Healthcare Foundation is excited to announce NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon as the featured honoree for its Annual Dinner Celebration & Auction on Wednesday, August 26 at the iconic DAYTONA 500 Club.
Dillon, driver of the iconic No. 3 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, returns to the event after first being honored by the Foundation in 2017.
This year’s celebration will offer guests a new way to get to know Dillon through an engaging fireside chat, providing a more personal look at his life on and off the racetrack. NASCAR personality and reporter Kim Coon will make her debut as emcee of the event and lead the conversation with Dillon, exploring his racing career, family, leadership and the experiences that have shaped him along the way.
A seasoned NASCAR veteran, Dillon is a six-time NASCAR Cup Series winner whose career accomplishments include victories in the 2018 Daytona 500 and 2017 Coca-Cola 600, as well as back-to-back Richmond Raceway wins in 2024 and 2025. He has advanced to the NASCAR Playoffs six times and is a former NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series champion. Across NASCAR’s top three touring series, Dillon has earned 21 victories.
Beyond racing, Dillon is a husband, father, outdoorsman and conservationist who has built a reputation for his competitive spirit and commitment to family. He also serves as general manager of the Carolina Cowboys professional bull riding team and, as a lifelong athlete, is enshrined in the Little League Hall of Excellence after playing in the 2002 Little League World Series.
The Foundation is also thrilled to welcome back two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip, a longtime friend and supporter of the event. Waltrip’s personality, connection to the racing community and continued involvement have made him a favorite among guests through the years.
“Austin’s return makes this year especially meaningful for us,” said Ivan Cosimi, CEO, SMA Healthcare “We first had the opportunity to honor him in 2017, and it is exciting to welcome him back nearly a decade later and hear how his career and life have evolved. The fireside chat with Kim will give our guests an opportunity to see a side of Austin that goes beyond his accomplishments on the track — his character, values and the people and experiences that drive him.”
The SMA Healthcare Foundation’s Annual Dinner Celebration & Auction brings together community leaders, supporters and friends for an evening benefiting the Foundation and its mission to support SMA Healthcare programs and services. This year’s racing-inspired celebration continues the Foundation’s longstanding connection to the motorsports community while raising critical funds to support behavioral healthcare services.