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Track mishaps are undoubtedly the most attention-grabbing feature of NASCAR races, aside from grueling finishes of course. But this weekend, crashes and other caution-causing actions on the track will be getting attention for another reason. Chevrolet is once again bringing out its bright pink Camaro pace car for laps for breast cancer research funding at the AdvoCare 500, set to take place on September 2nd. Just like last year [2], each lap that is lead under caution by the Breast Cancer Awareness-themed Camaro SS will generate a $200 donation from Chevrolet to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program.
To celebrate Chevrolet’s 100th birthday last year, the car manufacturer started supporting the American Cancer Society “fight for more birthdays” (the society’s theme for fundraising and events in 2011), according to a recent GM News release [3]. That support has continued through the 2012 race season with Chevrolet bringing out the big guns for Sunday’s event.
[4]Last year, the Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro pace car looked a little bit different but it's purpose was the same- to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative. Image: GM News [5]
Last year, the Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro pace car made it’s debut at the AdvoCare 500 and paced 64 caution laps for a total of $12,800. Following that race, the car paced another race, the Wonderful Pistachios 400, generating a total of just under $30,000 for the two events. This amount went on to help the American Cancer Society raise nearly $1 million [6] last year.
But laps for donations isn’t the only thing the Camaro with fresh graphics will be doing this coming weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. On Friday, the bright pink Camaro pace car will be on hand to help give pace car rides to 30 breast cancer survivors and their guests around the track with Team Chevy NASCAR Sprint Car driver Jamie McMurray and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion four times over, Ron Hornaday Jr. Danica Patrick will also be present on Friday signing autographs and taking pictures with the survivors.
When Sunday’s AdvoCare 500 race kicks off, the bright pink Camaro will be front and center, leading the drivers to their start. After that, it’s up to the drivers to see how just how many laps the Breast Cancer Awareness car makes and how much money is raised during the race.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and soon Chevrolet will be announcing staff, dealer and consumer activities to support the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative.
“Last year, contributions of more than $900,000 supported the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures and by fighting back against this disease,” Roshini George, national vice president of health promotions for the American Cancer Society said in the GM News release. “As we approach National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, we want thank the Chevrolet family for its support and remind everyone to take the steps that make a difference in our fight against breast cancer.”
To catch the Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro in action, be sure to tune into the AdvoCare 500 race at Atlantic Motor Speedway on Sunday. And let’s keep those fingers crossed for many caution flags so more money can be earned for cancer research.
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