SHERRY Pollex, the ex-partner of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. and the co-founder of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation charity, has died at 44.
Pollex battled ovarian cancer for several years, starting in 2014, and the disease later recurred in 2021.
A statement from her family was posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday by NASCAR reporte,r Bob Pockrass, confirming Pollex's passing.
"It is with great sorrow that our beloved daughter, sister Sherry quietly passed away on the morning of Sunday, September 17," the message from the family read.
"Although there are no words to express our sadness, we take solace in the fact that Sherry is no longer suffering and has been taken back in the arms of the Lord."
It continued: "As we all know, Sherry lived her life to the fullest, influencing thousands, if not millions of people through her own personal journey."
Read More on Nascar
"Her love for her family, Catwalk kids who she adored, and her friends will last forever," the statement added.
"Please join our family in thanking God for giving us Sherry, she's such an incredible expression of love that will live on."
"We will continue her legacy of love and caring for those in need as she will always be alive in our hearts," it concluded.
The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Pollex co-founded focused on assisting in childhood and ovarian cancer research, relief, and funding.
Most read in Motorsport
She was also a founding member of the charity fashion gala as part of the foundation called Catwalk for a Cause, per NASCAR.com.
Pollex was part of the event's creation in 2010 and raised more than $4million in the fight against childhood cancer.
She was diagnosed four years later with stage three ovarian cancer at 35 and began to make efforts to address the disease alongside childhood cancer.
Truex Jr. and Pollex were even recognized together in 2017, receiving NASCAR's National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award for their contributions to the sport and the community.
The famed NASCAR Cup Series driver still maintains a position as the president of his self-titled foundation started by him and Pollex.
NASCAR also released a statement on Pollex's death Sunday afternoon.
"NASCAR is saddened to learn of the passing of Sherry Pollex, whose fight against cancer and determination to help others through the Sherry Strong Foundation was an inspiration to all who knew her," it read.
"NASCAR and the NASCAR Foundation’s thoughts and prayers are with Sherry’s family and friends."
Pollex was known in the NASCAR community as an ambassador and "champion for good causes."
After discovering that the cancer had returned and spread to her lungs in September 2021, she noted to The Athletic a year later that she felt her purpose was to lead the charge in a fight against the disease.
"I often wonder if that’s my purpose here,” she explained to the publication.
"It’s maybe not what I would have chosen for myself — nobody really wants to be the poster child for any type of cancer — but maybe I’m supposed to go through all this so I can pave the way for other women."
Pollex continued: "On some days, that can be a really hard pill to swallow.
"But on other days, it’s like, ‘You know, I’ve been given this really important role in this life, and if I’m going to leave a legacy behind and help other people, then I need to do it 100 percent.’"
Read More on The US Sun
Truex Jr. has yet to issue a statement regarding Pollex's death.
The NASCAR driver was rumored to be retiring for some time, but in August, Truex Jr. confirmed that he would be returning to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, per Fox Sports.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK570qmmq6xfbn5yfpZua2irmJq%2Fs8WMqaalpJWteqWxwJ1kp5mjmK6zecyaqa2hnmLBs8HEsWSjqqNk