Mason Mingus and No. 15 Billy Boat Team to Promote Pipeline Safety

Mason Mingus and his No. 15 Billy Boat Motorsports team, competing in the NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series, announced today a partnership with the Danielle Dawn Smalley Foundation, whose mission is to increase safety and awareness for those who live, work, and play near pipelines and oil and gas sites.  In doing so, the Smalley Foundation will be the “Official Foundation of Mingus and the No. 15 Team” throughout 2015.

“This is an opportunity for us to help educate emergency responders, schools, kids and the general public about pipeline safety,” said Mingus, the second-year professional racer.  “I do a lot of work with pipeline companies through my partnership with the 811 phone line, so I understand the importance of helping people know how to protect pipelines, recognize pipeline damage, and safely report and respond to potential emergencies.

 

“It’s surprising to read the stats that there is a low awareness of 811 and damage prevention practices among people under 30 like me.  So, our partnership with the Smalley Foundation is an opportunity to potentially save lives.”

 

The Smalley Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 2002 by Danny Smalley, the father of Danielle Dawn Smalley, who was killed in a pipeline explosion in Kaufman County, Texas, in 1996. For more than 15 years, the Foundation has been committed to preventing other people from losing their lives in such incidents.

 

Mingus will spread the Smalley Foundation message throughout the spring and summer as he competes in the 23-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule from coast to coast.  Mingus will feature the Foundation on his website, and the Foundation will use Mingus and the No. 15 Billy Boat Motorsports team in awareness and education tools that reach its target audiences. 

 

“Mason’s involvement in the pipeline community and experience as a young professional driver makes this a perfect collaboration for reaching all generations, especially the emerging workforce and next wave of homeowners, with safe digging messages,” said Sheila Martin, the Executive Director of the Smalley Foundation. “While pipelines are still the most efficient and safe way to transport products across the nation, we all have a role in protecting them and ourselves.


“At 17, Danielle was unaware of the signs and hazards of a pipeline leak. It’s our mission to ensure that no other lives are needlessly lost from lack of knowledge. It’s very significant to have someone like Mason, adding value and reach to our efforts.”

 

Mingus and the No. 15 team will kick off the NCWTS season with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Feb. 20 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.  The race will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

 

Companies wanting to learn more about the Smalley Foundation, its safety programs, and partnership opportunities may contact Sheila Martin at [email protected] or 972-472-6500 or visit www.smalleyfnd.org.

 

Mason Mingus PR