Reed and the Drive to Stop Diabetes Take on Bristol - Speedway Digest

Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed heads to Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) this weekend not only to try to capture his second win of the season on the track’s high banks, but also to spread awareness of the disease he lives with every day. Reed, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011 at the age of 17, will pilot the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang in the second annual Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 on Saturday.

“To get my second career win in the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 would be so awesome,” said Reed. “I’m so grateful for everything Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association are doing to spread awareness of the disease and so glad I can help them do this through my racing. Their efforts at Bristol this weekend are especially important because of the high rates of diabetes in Tennessee.”

Diabetes impacts nearly 30 million Americans with Tennessee ranking fifth nationally in percentage of adults diagnosed. If current trends continue, by the year 2050 it is estimated that as many as one in three American adults will be living with diabetes.

Through the Drive to Stop Diabetes program, Reed visits diabetes clinics throughout the country, encouraging those diagnosed to continue to chase their dreams. The program also encourages those that may be at risk for type 2 diabetes to take a Diabetes Risk Test, available here.

Reed’s trip to Bristol will begin with a visit to Bristol Regional Medical Center on Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m. to speak about his journey with type 1 diabetes. Prior to the event, Reed will sign autographs for fans outside of Bristol Regional and the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang show car will be on-site for pictures beginning at 5 p.m.

On Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m., Reed will participate in a news conference in front of the BMS O. Bruton Smith Building to announce the placement of Wellmont Health’s Diabetes Alert sticker on the c-post of his No. 16 Ford Mustang this weekend. Wellmont developed the sticker to inform a law enforcement officer who is investigating a potential case of impaired driving to check whether a motorist might instead be having difficulties with his or her diabetes. A person experiencing a diabetes emergency might exhibit symptoms that mimic impaired driving.

The sticker is available at 29 locations in Tennessee, including Wellmont’s four hospitals in the state and its urgent care facilities in Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City. To obtain one, a person must first have a prescription from a physician.

Reed will take to the track at BMS for two practice sessions on Friday, April 17 and start the day off Saturday, April 18 with group qualifying.

Qualifying for Saturday’s Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, April 18 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 from BMS will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, April 18 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

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