CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 11, 2014) – For the 11th time this season, Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Reed has a special guest riding along with him during Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang will carry the name of Ariela Benchlouch above the passenger side window.
Benchlouch, who is now 19, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of five. Her mother, Carla, who also has type 1 diabetes, has always encouraged her daughter not to let diabetes slow her down.
The 19-year-old Miami native has always been extremely active. In her early years, she participated in soccer, ballet and cross country. She has been riding and competing in local and national equestrian horse competitions for more than 10 years. She also keeps active by cycling, attending the gym and has recently become a CrossFit enthusiast.
The ‘Riding with Ryan’ program rolls into its 11th weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The name of an American Diabetes Association Youth Ambassador was featured on the No. 16 Ford Mustang at 11 races this season, coinciding with races where there was an activation space for Drive to Stop Diabetes.
“Just like so many of the Youth Ambassadors we’ve worked with this season, Ariela is another example of a person who hasn’t let diabetes stop her from doing the things that she loves,” said Reed. “She has continued to live an extremely active lifestyle, showing people who have diabetes that they can keep doing the things they want to do. The Drive to Stop Diabetes platform exists to show people just that – that diabetes does not have to define who you are or what you can accomplish.”
The NNS takes the green flag from Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series competition with drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed and Chris Buescher. Now in its 28th season, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and producing multiple award-winning digital and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by Jack Roush, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @roushfenway.
