Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed will attempt to make his Sprint Cup debut at Talladega Superspeedway in the Alabama 500 on Oct. 23, behind the wheel of the No. 99 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Fusion. In 2011 – having been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes – the young driver was told he would never get behind the wheel of a race car again.
Five years later, Reed – having already won at the famed Daytona International Speedway and qualified for the inaugural Chase for the XFINITY Championship – is looking to make history as the only driver actively managing his diabetes to race at the Sprint Cup level.
Reed manages his diabetes through a strict diet and exercise program, the use of a wireless glucose monitoring device to provide in-race, real-time data, and consistent communication with his medical team in California.
“I am really looking forward to Talladega and racing in the Sprint Cup race,” said Reed, who is sponsored by Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association. “For anyone that has ever had the chance to get behind the wheel of a race car, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the ultimate goal.
“To realize that dream and to have been able to do it by properly managing my diabetes means a lot to me and the people that have stood beside me,” added Reed. “My goal is to qualify for the race, have a strong performance and continue to show people that with the proper management and support team you can overcome the obstacles in front of you – even diabetes – and accomplish your dreams.”
Reed is currently fourth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase grid. In each of his three NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at the 2.66-mile track, Reed has qualified his Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford in the top-10 and has led a total of 37 laps.
Reed will look to become the 19th driver to start a Sprint Cup race for Roush Fenway and legendary owner Jack Roush.
The No. 99 was a mainstay at Roush Fenway from 1996 through 2014, being driven predominately by Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards. During that span, the car visited Victory Lane on 40 occasions and led more than 9,500 laps in Sprint Cup action.
Fans are encouraged to join the social conversation with Reed and Roush Fenway using the hashtag #IDriveMyHealth, to discuss the ways they actively manage their diabetes so they can still live well.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is set to take the green flag from Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN and MRN.
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