Breast Cancer survivors enjoy day at Martinsville Speedway

There were smiles all around at Martinsville Speedway during the American Cancer Society’s ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ event.

Martinsville Speedway has been a part of honoring 

survivors for nearly a decade and this year’s event was another day for breast cancer survivors to spend time with NASCAR drivers, paint the start/finish line pink, take rides in the pink Camaro ZL1 pace cars and help raise awareness.

Chevrolet, Martinsville Speedway and the American Cancer Society teamed up to host the event at the track with survivors being treated to pace car rides by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet drivers Kurt Busch and William Byron. Joining the drivers was American Cancer Society Regional Coordinator, Nancy Keatts, and Chevrolet Motorsports Marketing Manager Bob Phipps.

Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell enjoys hosting the event he marks on his calendar every year.

“It’s one of the days I look forward to every year,” said Campbell. “Everyone at the track looks forward to helping promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We want the survivors to come out and have a great day and we appreciate Chevrolet and the American Cancer Society allowing us to be a part of this day.”

For Busch, helping bring smiles to survivors is something he enjoys while giving pace cars rides on a track he and Byron will be back competing on in less than three weeks.

“It’s a lot of fun to give the ladies around the race track,” said Busch. “We’ll never fully understand the battles they go through and it is fun to show them the battles we have on the race track.”

Although he wasn’t able to advance to the second round of the playoffs, Busch said he’ll be ready to compete in the First Data 500.

“The biggest thing here will be the tires,” Busch said. “It used to be the tires would wear out but now they build up pressure and being able to figure that out will be key to getting around Martinsville Speedway.”

Byron, who was participating in his first event at Martinsville Speedway with Chevrolet and the American Cancer Society, is still in the playoffs advancing to the second round.

“It’s great to be out here meeting all these great (survivors) and supporting their cause to raise awareness of breast cancer,” said Byron. “This is the first time I’ve been asked to participate in this event and I was happy to do and help support a great cause.”

Busch and Byron will compete in the First Data 500 on Oct. 27 (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN, SiriusXM NASCAR) and once again kicks off the Round of Eight for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Advance ticket prices for the First Data 500 begin at $47 with youth tickets for fans 17-and-under just $25 regardless of location. Youth 17-and-under are admitted free to the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series NASCAR Hall of Fame 200-lap race on Saturday. Friday’s practice day is free to everyone.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.