Shaquille O’Neal has earned several nicknames during his NBA career, including The Diesel, The Big Aristotle, The Big Daddy and Big Cactus. Now you can add The Big Philanthropist to that list.

De Ferran Dragon Racing, the IZOD IndyCar Series racing team, has partnered with O’Neal, one of the biggest personalities in all of sports, to raise money and awareness for charity.

By partnering with champion athletes each year, Steve Luczo, Jay Penske and Gil de Ferran, co-owners of DDR, have established a unique charity drive that has delivered more than $1.5 million to charitable organizations Worldwide in three years.

“We are proud to have Shaquille O’Neal lead our team of champions,” Luczo said. “Shaq has demonstrated that leadership, competitiveness, winning and compassion can all be achieved at the same time. As one of the most recognized Champions in sports, and as a positive role model through his many community and social efforts, Shaq is the ideal individual to help our racing team further its success.”

The de Ferran Dragon community development program was designed to raise money, increase exposure to the sport of auto racing and encourage a philanthropic spirit that inspires others to make an impact in their communities.

As a four-time NBA Champion, 15-time All Star, three-time NBA Finals MVP and 2000 League MVP, O’Neal has carved out a Hall of Fame career on the court. His work with children and families in need are just part of his mission to serve the community.

“I believe in giving and I am thrilled to be joining forces with the de Ferran Dragon Racing team,” O’Neal said. “My parents taught me at a young age that my goals are and should be more than just about the things I want to personally accomplish. Therefore, giving to others has given me a deeper sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Everyone has a passion, it could be any number of things: animals, education, AIDS research, cancer, etc. My passion is our most precious resource, children. That is why I support charity organizations that focus on children including Kids Athletic Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of America, on a regular basis. There is no excuse for not giving. If you don’t have money you still can support by volunteering your time. Take it from me, we all win when we take the focus off of ourselves and support others.”

De Ferran Dragon formed its first team of champions for the 2007 Indianapolis 500, its only race of the year. The team included Marcus Allen, Jackson Browne, Brandi Chastain, Baron Davis, Tony Dungy, John Elway, Wayne Gretzky, Ronnie Lott, Jonny Moseley, Chris Mullin, Kerri Walsh and Kristi Yamaguchi. In 2008, de Ferran Dragon partnered with Laila Ali, Natalie Coughlin, Sugar Ray Leonard, Donovan McNabb, Rick Mears, Bode Miller, Joe Montana, Steve Nash, Joe Thornton, Joe Torre, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

Combined, the de Ferran Dragon Racing team of champions have won 13 Super Bowls, 20 Olympic Gold Medals, 45 Grand Slam victories, 13 World Championships, 11 World Cups, 17 Wimbledon titles, five World Series titles, four Stanley Cups, four NBA titles, four Indy 500 championships, 10 US Open crowns, 18 League MVPs, five Super Bowl MVPs, 3 NBA Finals MVPs, one Heisman Trophy, 12 Hall of Fame inductions and more than 115 All-Star team selections.