CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 10, 2014) – For the seventh 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 Chicagoland Speedway. The No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang will carry Rachel Janovsky’s name above the passenger side window.
Janovsky was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2004. However, she refuses to let diabetes derail her goals. Instead, she has dedicated herself to her studies and her role as an American Diabetes Association Youth Ambassador.
Eighteen-year-old Janovsky has flourished as a camp counselor at the American Diabetes Association’s Camp Discovery for four years, while also volunteering as a moderator through the Caregiver Program. In addition to her public speaking roles as a Youth Ambassador, Janovsky also informs the public about diabetes through her blog.
Aside from her responsibilities as a student and her duties as a Youth Ambassador, Janovsky participates in an all-girls show choir, is the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and competes in beauty pageants.
The ‘Riding with Ryan’ program rolls into its seventh weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. The name of an American Diabetes Association Youth Ambassador will be featured on the No. 16 Ford Mustang at 11 races this season, coinciding with races where there is an activation space for Drive to Stop Diabetes.
Drive to Stop Diabetes presented by Lilly Diabetes will host an activation space in the fan midway at a total of 14 races during the 2014 season. The display area features the No. 16 Drive to Stop Diabetes racing simulator, diabetes awareness and educational materials, as well as various prizes.
“It’s awesome to have another Youth Ambassador from the American Diabetes Association on the car this weekend,” said Reed. “The whole purpose of the Drive to Stop Diabetes platform is to show people living with diabetes that it doesn’t have to change your goals. It’s so inspiring to continue to find Youth Ambassadors like Rachel that exemplify that message so well.”
The NNS takes the green flag from Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and MRN.
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed and Chris Buescher. Having celebrated 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and its award-winning marketing campaigns for “RFR Driven”, “Let Ricky Race”, Pillow Pets, RickyvsTrevor.com, “25 Winning Years” and Google+. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.