Sadler, Best Buy to auction Dover hood for autism

DOVER, Del. -- Elliott Sadler is losing part of his car after the race at Dover on Sunday, and it's perfectly fine with him.

The No. 19 Dodge will feature a special paint scheme in conjunction with the Best Buy 400 Benefiting Student Clubs of Autism Speaks at the Monster Mile this weekend. And, in a combined effort with Gillett Evernham Motorsports and the No. 19 team's primary sponsor, Best Buy, someone is going to own that piece.

The winning bidder will receive the hood, a signed photo of Sadler signing it on pit road and a Certificate of Authentication from Elliott Sadler Enterprises.

• To place a bid, click here

When talks first began about Best Buy sponsoring the race at Dover to benefit autism awareness, GEM and Sadler wanted do their part, as well. A special scheme with Autism Awareness puzzle pieces all around the car highlighted the design.

Then, a special hood to commemorate the event was included in the artwork.

When Sadler saw the whole concept, he gave his stamp of approval and appreciation before taking it one step further.

"I thought it was great when our partners in Best Buy said they were going to obtain the title rights for Dover and use it to benefit the Student Clubs for Autism Speaks around the country" Sadler said. "I knew that myself and GEM had to get on board in some way.

"I wanted this race sponsorship to further the efforts we've already been making and keep people thinking of Autism Awareness. So, I asked if we could auction off the hood. They said it would be no problem making two of them. I shook my head and said, 'No, let's auction the hood right off the racecar.' Everyone agreed, so that's our plan."

Sadler will sign the hood live during FOX TV's pre-race show (1:30 p.m. ET) as it sits on pit road, then take it out for 400 laps around the 1-mile concrete oval at Dover. However it looks after the race is exactly how the highest bidder will receive the hood.

Bidding begins with the drop of the green flag (scheduled at 2:15 p.m. ET) and will continue at the sadlerfoundation.org until June 19. The winning bidder will receive the hood, a signed photo of Sadler signing it on pit road and a Certificate of Authentication from Elliott Sadler Enterprises.

Sadler and his brother, Hermie, have been stout advocates of Autism Awareness and the raising of funds for research since Hermie's daughter, Halie, was diagnosed with the disease five years ago.

For more information about their foundation, Autism Awareness and to become a registered bidder, log on to Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation and click on the appropriate topic.