The Philly Pretzel Factory of Mooresville, N.C. and Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. and his newly created Martin Truex Jr. Foundation have joined forces to lend a helping hand to those in need.

The Foundation's Executive Director Kelly Janow and Foundation Coordinator Dawn Hines spent part of Wednesday twisting pretzels at the Philly Pretzel Factory into the shape of fish - the logo for the Foundation.

Hines explained although the Foundation is relatively new, they have received great feedback and have already helped a lot of organizations, including "Oprah's Big Give". "We are trying to use Martin's high profile to help smaller, lesser-known organizations that normally wouldn't get the recognition," she went on to say.

The two organizations teamed up after the Philly Pretzel Factory approached the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation looking for a way to help. According to owner Jill Heck, the Philly Pretzel Factory picked Truex Jr. "because he was a Jersey guy." Sharing the common bond of being from the state of New Jersey, both Truex Jr. and the Heck family have been working together for a few months now.

The Philly Pretzel Factory specializes in one of Philadelphia's lesser known delicacies; the hand twisted fresh backed soft pretzel. Best known for the Philly Cheesesteak - which makes this writer's mouth water just thinking about it - Philadelphia is also the home to some of the best soft pretzels in the United States. Most Philadelphia area natives who are familiar with this specialty have bought them not from a store, but from a shopping cart outside the stadiums of one of Philly's local sports teams.

Dawn Hines joked, "Well Martin's a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan so that explains [the relationship] right there."

Donations were also being collected to help "My Sister's House", a North Carolina charity aimed at providing assistance and shelter to battered and abused women. Items such as mattresses, toiletries, bed linens and others have been suggested and can be dropped off at either the Philly Pretzel Factory or the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation?s headquarters (see below for addresses).

Hines went on to say the Foundation will be taking part in the 4th Annual Rockin' Ribfest & Pro Rodeo in Troutman, N.C. to help benefit the Dove House, an organization that serves sexually abused children from Iredell and Alexander counties in North Carolina. They are also in the process of planning a dinner event in New Jersey in September to benefit one or two local New Jersey charities, although details are still being worked out.

For those Hardcore Race Fans who are interested in helping out while in town for this weekend's race events, stop by Bass Pro Shops in the Concord Mills Mall, Friday, May 23rd from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for a special Martin Truex Jr. Fan Club event. The DEI driver will be on hand to sign autographs and meet with members of the Fan Club. All proceeds from the day's events will go to the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation. For more details and ticket prices, please visit www.MartinTruexJr.com.

The Foundation's office is also open to the public this weekend, May 19-22 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., selling Truex Jr. merchandise, collecting donations and selling the special fish shaped pretzels. The office is located at 344 Rolling Hills Road, Suite 101 Mooresville, N.C. 28117. For more information be sure to visit www.MartinTruexJrFoundation.org.

For a taste of Philly right here in Race Country USA, be sure to stop by the Philly Pretzel Factory and help out a good cause while you are at it. With cheap prices and a delicious (fat-free) product, you can not go wrong with this spot. The Philly Pretzel Factory is located at 591 S River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117. Directions and more information can be found at www.phillysoftpretzelfactory.com , be sure to tell them HardcoreRaceFans.com sent you.