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BMS OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE DRIVE TO STOP DIABETES 300 PRESENTED BY LILLY DIABETES
March 15th Nationwide Event Part of Saturday Racing Doubleheader
BRISTOL, Tenn. (Monday, March 3, 2014) – Bristol Motor Speedway officials have announced an important new sponsorship of the March 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, now known as the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 presented by Lilly Diabetes.
Paired with the K&N PittLite 125, the event kicks off a Saturday racing doubleheader, with a sponsorship that highlights the growing epidemic of diabetes not only in Tennessee, but nationwide.
“Diabetes is a serious disease that is having a devastating impact on our country,” says Larry Hausner, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, American Diabetes Association. “Recent estimates say that by 2050, as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes unless we take the steps needed to stop it. The Drive to Stop Diabetes initiative is an integral platform to help us deliver our mission to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.”
Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to make or effectively use insulin. It impacts nearly 26 million Americans, with Tennessee ranking fifth nationally in percentage of adults diagnosed. A chronic condition, diabetes leads to serious complications if not properly managed, and causes more deaths each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
“More than 11 percent of the population of Tennessee has been diagnosed with diabetes,” says Mike Mason, Vice President, U.S., Lilly Diabetes. “Education and awareness are essential components of prevention and management of the disease. By working with the Bristol Motor Speedway, we hope to get people talking about diabetes with their doctors, as well as their friends and families.”
“We are proud to team up with Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association in support of Drive to Stop Diabetes,” says BMS General Manager Jerry Caldwell. “Diabetes is a prevalent issue nationally and in our local community. We are blessed to have the best fans in the world here at Bristol Motor Speedway, and this sponsorship allows us to call attention to an issue that touches many of them personally.”
In October 2013, Lilly Diabetes became the presenting sponsor of the American Diabetes Association’s Drive to Stop Diabetes (D2SD). NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Ryan Reed is the voice of the initiative. Reed, now age 20, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 17. He drives the No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop Diabetes presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing.
This race makes the second start on the high banks for Reed.
“I can’t wait to get back to Bristol and face the high banks,” says Reed. “To be driving the No.16 Drive to Stop Diabetes Ford Mustang in the D2SD 300 presented by Lilly Diabetes race, I just couldn’t ask for a better way to represent the diabetes community. I would like to thank the American Diabetes Association and Lilly Diabetes for taking every single opportunity this year to make this movement more impactful.”
Tickets to watch Ryan battle on the banks of the Last Great Colosseum during the Saturday, March 15 racing doubleheader start at just $35, so call (855) 580-5525 or visit www.bristoltix.com and reserve your seat today!
-BMS-
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sonoma, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. The Company also equally-owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com.
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world’s first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide real solutions ‒ from medicines to support programs and more ‒ we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com
About the Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives a voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
About Drive To Stop Diabetes
Reed joined forces with the American Diabetes Association and created Drive to Stop Diabetes, with awareness and educational events at select NNS races as well as several off track health and wellness initiatives throughout 2014. Reed is set to run the full 2014 NNS schedule for Roush Fenway Racing in the No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang. For more information, visit www.DrivetoStopDiabetes.org.