BMS Officials Announce Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 Presented By Lilly Diabetes

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Bristol Motor Speedway officials today 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 Pitt Lite 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. 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,” said Larry Hausner, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, American Diabetes Association. “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. Education and awareness are essential components of prevention and management of the disease,” said Mike Mason, Vice President, U.S., Lilly Diabetes. “By working with the Bristol Motor Speedway, we hope to get people talking about diabetes with their doctor, as well as their friends and family.”

“We are proud to team up with Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association in support of Drive to Stop Diabetes,” said 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. 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,” said Reed.

BMS PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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