May 31, 2007
By Rebecca Gladden

Rebecca Gladden

Colored ribbons, worn in the form of lapel pins or displayed as car magnets, have been used for years to remind the public of worthy causes. Most of us can readily match a pink ribbon to breast cancer awareness or a yellow ribbon to the cause of deployed soldiers or missing children. A number of other colors have come to be recognizable as part of various awareness campaigns.

But when it came time to create an autism awareness ribbon, the designers chose a mosaic of colorful puzzle pieces rather than a single color to depict the puzzling mystery that is autism, as well as the diversity of people and families living with the disorder.

Alarmingly, the diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold over the last decade, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis. The disorder currently has no known cause or cure.

This weekend, the NASCAR Nextel Cup series and Dover International Speedway will help focus the public's attention on the condition with Sunday's race, named the Autism Speaks 400, presented by Visa.

Autism Speaks is an organization dedicated to increasing understanding and knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders, funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism, and advocating for the needs of affected families.

Here are some facts about autism from the Autism Speaks website (http://www.autismspeaks.org/):

• Autism is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

• Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

• Autism occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls.

• Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

• Currently there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure.

• Research indicates that early intervention in an appropriate educational setting for at least two years during the preschool years can result in significant improvements for many young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Two full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers have been directly affected by autism in their families.

Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, has a niece who was diagnosed with autism in 2001. "When I get in the car, I'm thinking about the business at hand, but autism is something I think about every day," said Sadler during Autism Awareness month in April. Sadler and his brother Hermie, father of the autistic child, have an ongoing campaign to raise awareness and funding for autism research through their charitable organization, the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation (http://www.sadlerfoundation.org/main.shtml).

Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford, also has a niece with autism. McMurray raises money for the cause through the Jamie McMurray Foundation and, with Crown Royal's blessing, will sport an autism awareness paint scheme on his car this weekend. "I went to Crown Royal a few weeks ago and asked them how I can do more in support of the Autism Speaks 400," McMurray said. "I had the idea of wearing a different firesuit and helmet in the race and then auctioning them off after and have all of the funds go towards the Jamie McMurray Foundation, which supports autism research, education and families afflicted with autism. Needless to say, Crown Royal was very supportive and backed us completely." The paint scheme features the autism awareness puzzle piece and McMurray's uniform and helmet will be auctioned after the race at www.SpeedTV.com.

The NASCAR Foundation, an organization supporting a wide range of charitable initiatives, has also been instrumental in coordinating various autism fundraisers and online auctions, particularly those associated with the Sadler and McMurray Foundations. Many of NASCAR's top stars have donated personal items and memorabilia to auctions benefiting autism charities.

According to Mark Rossi, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Dover Motorsports, this weekend's race is a significant first: "Thanks to Visa's commitment, this event marks the first time a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event entitlement has been dedicated to a not-for-profit organization," he said, adding, "The end result will be increased awareness and additional funds to assist the many important initiatives of Autism Speaks."

NASCAR fans are renowned in the sports world for loyalty to their favorite drivers and sponsors, but this weekend's autism awareness program is a cause we can all be proud to support.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.