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Ryan Reed led the way in a different kind of race around Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon.
The driver of the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing gave the command and joined 200 people walking the 1.5-mile oval. It was the kickoff event for the Lilly Diabetes and NASCAR health and wellness initiative as Lilly not only sponsors Reed but is the official diabetes health partner of NASCAR.
“First of all, it’s a huge thank you to Lilly, not just as the driver that they sponsor but as someone living with diabetes,” Reed said. “To see their commitment to spreading awareness, doing events like this, that it’s not just talk about encouraging people to manage their diabetes, live a healthy lifestyle but putting on events where they can walk around Charlotte Motor Speedway and actually get out here and do something active. It’s so cool.”
Reed signed autographs and took pictures along the route, which began just past the big screen TV situated above the backstretch wall. Fans who participated in the event were encouraged to create pledge banners and sign a hood that will be used during an XFINITY Series race later this year.
With the amount of participation seen Friday, Ashley Brewer, the consumer director of marketing for Lilly Diabetes, announced at the conclusion of the walk that Lilly Diabetes would donate $10,000 to the American Diabetes Association chapter of Charlotte.
“Some other things we’re doing throughout the year is we just recently kicked off an editorial called Fit Row on NASCAR.com and the intent of Fit Row is really to put out stories that talk more about an active lifestyle and continuing to be healthy not just with diabetes but in overall general health as well,” Brewer said.
“We’re also planning an event in October to kind of culminate the whole season and it’ll be a fun activity that we’re not announcing completely yet. More to come on the event back here at Charlotte in October.”
Having been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2011, Reed has climbed through the motorsports ranks despite being told he would never race again. Now a two-time winner in the XFINITY Series, Reed said the most enjoyable thing about doing events with Lilly Diabetes is the people he meets along the way.
“Just today alone I probably met 10 people who talked about living with diabetes or that their son or daughter has diabetes,” Reed said. “I met a boy, he was probably 12 or 13 years old, and he was out here walking today and he has Type 1 diabetes. His dad was here talking to me about all the different things he does to help his son play sports and different stuff.
“It’s just so cool to see that commitment. As someone who lives with diabetes, when you meet someone else with diabetes who goes through the same everyday challenges, you instantly have a connection and a bond. The relationships I’ve built through events like these are probably the coolest thing.”
Crossing the red and white finish line signaled the end of another day at the office for Reed. Only instead of being behind the wheel, he was again spreading a positive message.
“The No. 1 thing that I try to preach is just never give up,” Reed said. “Diabetes is a lot like other challenging things in life where it can be defeating. It can make you want to give up at times, but if you can persevere and manage it and work with your doctor, you can do what you love to do.”