Haas announces program with diabetes awareness

STATESVILLE, N.C. -- After nearly a half-season of attempting to secure full-time sponsorship for Busch Series rookie Kyle Krisiloff, Carl A. Haas Motorsports LLC has announced Eli Lilly and Company and Walgreens will be co-primary sponsors of the team's No. 14 Fords for the remainder of the 2007 season.

Krisiloff, 21, who is 24th in the Busch standings after 16 races with one top-five finish, will participate in what the team says is the "first cause marketing program at this level of a NASCAR-sanctioned racing series."

"We are thrilled to welcome Lilly and Walgreens as sponsors, but more importantly we are proud to be part of a program that has the potential to impact the lives of many people," Haas said. "Diabetes, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, affects nearly 21 million Americans, but one-third of those affected don't know they have the disease. We are hoping to help build awareness both on track and off."

Walgreens selected Joslin Diabetes Center as the cause partner for this major program as part of their previously announced diabetes alliance. Joslin, the world's largest diabetes research center, diabetes clinic and provider of diabetes education, has helped revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diabetes worldwide for more than 100 years, and has affiliated clinical care centers and innovative programs throughout the country.

The program reunites Haas with Lilly, a sponsor of Newman/Haas Racing in 2002 and 2003 in the Champ Car World Series with drivers Christian Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais. Although Lilly has previously been involved in racing, it will be the first sponsorship in NASCAR for both Indianapolis-based Lilly and Walgreens, based in Deerfield, Ill., and the nation's largest drugstore chain.

Haas operates the Busch Series team in partnership with former Cup champion crew chief and team owner Travis Carter, who serves as Krisiloff's crew chief.

"We all have an important role to play in helping manage the progression of diabetes and its devastating impact on individuals and our communities," said Matt Beebe, U.S. Diabetes Brand Leader, Eli Lilly and Company. "Together with Haas Motorsports, Lilly is committed to educating people about diabetes and delivering medical advances and practical solutions to help the millions of people with diabetes live fuller and healthier lives each day. We are also very pleased for the opportunity to work alongside Walgreens and Joslin on this important campaign."

"This is a great opportunity for us to educate people who may be at risk for diabetes and improve outcomes for those currently suffering from the disease," said Ron Weinert, vice president of patient services for Walgreens Health Services, the managed care division of Walgreen Co. "With many of these patients already our customers, we realize the impact a program like this can have."

Throughout the season Lilly and Walgreens plan to host programs to educate the public about diabetes in each of the race markets. Krisiloff, who earned a season-high fifth place at the Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway, will participate in appearances at Walgreens drugstores in many of the remaining race markets on the 2007 Busch schedule. Joslin will apply its pioneering approaches to education and clinical care to the Lilly and Walgreens consumer diabetes education program.