CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch and Daniel Hemric, alongside dozens of breast cancer survivors, joined officials from Charlotte Motor Speedway and Blue Cross NC to paint the speedway’s wall pink on Tuesday.
CMS’ eighth Paint Pit Wall Pink event has become an annual tradition to celebrate survivors, provide hope for those battling breast cancer and paint the 1,500-foot pink pit road wall to raise awareness of the importance of early detection.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter and Performance Racing Network’s Lenny Batycki joined the survivors in painting the wall.
The event, also, featured the unveiling of the special pink Toyota Camry pace car for the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross NC on Oct. 9. The car, is covered in more than 600 digital signatures of breast cancer survivors and those currently battling, serves as a reminder that no one fights alone.
During the event, Hemric, whose family has been directly impacted by breast cancer, presented a green flag to Jennifer Grady, a breast cancer survivor and senior strategic policy consultant for Blue Cross NC who shared her story during Tuesday’s event.
“I am grateful that my cancer was detected early on to afford me more treatment options, because I know that isn’t always everyone’s story,” Grady said. “Early detection has significant impact on breast cancer treatment and outcomes, and I encourage every woman to commit to annual testing.”
Additionally, Busch shared that he has rallied drivers in the Cup Series to run pink window nets during the Oct. 10 Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, to further raise awareness as part of an initiative called “Window for Hope.” The idea came to the Chip Ganassi Racing driver after he received a letter from a fan who mother was battling breast cancer asking if Busch could run a pink window net to show support for those battling.