Greg Biffle may be fresh off the Cup banquet in Vegas after finishing the season in the ninth place in the point standings but he and his wife Nicole are also preparing for the holiday season with one annual tradition, the release of their pet calendar.
The 2014 NASCAR Pets Calendar was recently released by the Greg Biffle Foundation just in time to be a stocking stuffer or other holiday gift under the tree. The proceeds from the calendar are utilized by the Foundation to ‘create awareness and serve as an advocate to improve the well-being of animals by engaging the power and passion of the motorsports industry.’
“The NASCAR Pet Calendar is unique in that it shows drivers off the track with some very special family members – their pets – and it really resonates with our fans,” Biffle said. “The calendar’s success and the fan support allows us to help shelters across the country that need our help.”
This upcoming year’s edition of the calendar features many of the sport’s most recognized drivers, including 11th year in a row most popular driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., fellow chasers Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, and Kevin Harvick, as well as departing driver Juan Pablo Montoya and the sport’s lone female driver Danica Patrick.
So, how are the participants selected each year for inclusion in the prestigious calendar?
“Each year Greg and Nicole invite their friends who have a fondness for animals to be a part of the calendar,” Jenni Leibee, Development Director for the Greg Biffle Foundation, said. “We have such a great support network of other NASCAR drivers who love their pets and they are super excited to be a part of the calendar.”
The 2014 NASCAR Pets Calendar also includes media members, such as John Roberts, Jeff Hammond, Darrell Waltrip, Miss Sprint Cup, Wendy Venturini, Nicole Briscoe and Chris Myers and their pet best friends, as well as their other family members.
“Our friends in the media are a great addition to the calendar,” Leibee said. “They offer the Foundation continued support throughout the year and really enjoying being a part of the calendar too.”
“We definitely see a spike in sales when they talk about it during a race or when they interview one of the featured drivers and they get to talking about their photos.”
This year, one of the most unique pets included in the calendar was undoubtedly Calimero, the Jeff Burton horse, pictured jumping the fence.
“It’s great to see each pet’s personality shine through in the photographs,” Leibee said. “The Burton image with their horse jumping the fence was really cool.”
“John Robert’s dog, Phillip, has a big grin on his face in his picture.”
Although this is the eighth edition, the calendar is still going strong, with over 10,000 printed every year.
“Our goal is to sell every one of them,” Leibee said. “We sold out of the 2010 edition and have come pretty close most years.”
“The more calendars we sell, the more animals we can help save.”
To date, the Greg Biffle Foundation, through its calendar fundraiser, has been able to award grants to over 600 humane societies and animal shelters across the country. This year, the Foundation received 400 applications in total, with requests for everything from spay/neuter initiatives to vet care and medical supplies.
“Greg and Nicole like to see the grant donations go directly to work for the animals,” Leibee said. “Each year, the Foundation strives to reach our goal of helping every qualified rescue group that applies for funding.”
While Greg and Nicole Biffle have devoted their energy and passion to the NASCAR Pets Calendar, the project has really flourished since Biffle’s sponsor 3M became the primary sponsor.
“We love having 3M be a part of the calendar,” Leibee said. “Their support means the world to us.”
“They have so many pet care products and we feature them throughout the calendar,” Leibee continued. “We love that our fans get to see some of the best pet products on the market.
The NASCAR pet calendars sell for $13.99 and are sold on the Greg Biffle Foundation website www.gregbifflefoundation.com. Many of the calendars are also signed by Biffle at various events throughout the year and also whenever his schedule permits.
“The calendar is a great collector’s piece,” Leibee said. “Fans love that they can find many of their favorite drivers in one place.”
“We’ve had several people over the years tell us that they get the calendar signed by all the featured drivers,” Leibee continued. “We are currently selling a collector’s edition of the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 NASCAR Pets Calendar on our website for $20.”
“Sales definitely pick up around the holidays and we get lots of people tell us they look forward to getting it every year as a Christmas present.”
Donations are also accepted at the Greg Biffle Foundation in addition to the calendar sales.
“We rely on support from our donors and appreciate every donation we receive,” Leibee said. “Every dollar makes a difference in saving a pet’s life.”
“We also sell t-shirts, hats, collars and sweatshirts – all make wonderful gifts!”
In addition to the Greg Biffle Foundation website, the calendars can also be purchased on nascar.com and various NASCAR driver fan club websites.
