WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Watkins Glen’s two star attractions — auto racing and Farm Sanctuary — will come together on August 15 when NASCAR driver Andy Lally, a three-time champion of both the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona race and the Grand Am Rolex Series, and TRG Motorsports driver Spencer Pumpelly, a two-time champion of The Glen’s six-hour race, visit Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Lally is in town for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen on Sunday, August 14 (1 p.m. EST on ESPN), and Pumpelly will be competing in the Grand American Rolex Series race on Saturday, August 13.
Lally and Pumpelly are both vegan, which means they do not consume meat, milk, cheese, or eggs, and do not use any animal by-products, such as leather and wool. “I do it for ethical reasons,” explains Lally, who currently holds the record for most podium finishes in a single season in the Grand American Rolex Series. “By this point in human evolution, we should be smart enough and kind enough to live without torturing other living beings just so we can enjoy lunch, especially when there are so many delicious plant-based options available.”
Farm Sanctuary’s shelters in New York and California provide life-long care for nearly 1,000 cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and other farm animals rescued from the abusive conditions of modern animal agriculture. “I want to try to be peaceful to peaceful beings,” says Lally. “Forget saving the environment for now; let’s work on not killing other living beings first.”
This will be Lally’s first visit to the world-renowned sanctuary. Pumpelly visited in June. “I’m honored to support Farm Sanctuary and the people who are devoted to defending others,” says Pumpelly.
“These compassionate racing champions prove that nice guys finish first,” says Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur. “We are excited to have Andy and Spencer’s support and hope their kindness to farm animals will inspire others to do what they can to help protect these terribly abused individuals.”
For updates on Sunday’s race, follow @AndyLally and @SpencerPumpelly on Twitter.