Jamie McMurray and Kasey Kahne Join Breast Cancer Survivors to Paint Martinsville’s Curbs Pink

Frank Dalton Jr., stood out at Martinsville Speedway on Wednesday. He was the lone male among the nearly 40 breast cancer survivors at the historic half-mile to take part in Team Chevy and the American Cancer Society’s annual Paint the Curbs Pink event.

With only one percent of males being diagnosed with breast cancer, Dalton consider’s his diagnoses part of his calling.

“If I thought I would have any type of cancer, it wouldn’t be breast cancer,” Dalton said. “You think of the typical male cancer, you know, but I never dreamed in a million years I’d have breast cancer.

“I feel like God gave me this gift. I don’t want to say God gave me the disease, but I feel like he gave me this gift so I could get out and spread the word to other men and say, ‘Check yourself. You never know.’”

Drivers Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray were on hand to give rides in the pink Chevy Camaro SS that will pace the field in the First Data 500 on October 28 and to give a hand in painting the iconic curbs pink and both took advantage of the opportunity to talk to Dalton.

“It’s really cool that he came out to tell his story,” McMurray said. “Certainly awareness is one of the most important parts of this.”

“He was explaining that one percent of males get breast cancer, but it’s something you don’t get checked for and you don’t think about,” Kahne said. “It came on quick and he was kind of explaining that to me. It’s great to have him here and he’s battled passed it, so it’s cool to be here with him.”

Team Chevy will donate $300 for every lap run under caution during the First Data 500. Last year’s race saw 74 caution laps and to date Chevrolet has donated more than $500,000 to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

“This is a partnership that we are proud of,” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said. “To see the looks on these survivors’ faces when they step out of the car after a ride and to see them smiling for pictures and while painting the curbs, knowing that they have been fighting and we are able to give them a chance to have some fun during what has been some very difficult times is very rewarding.

“I cannot thank Team Chevy and the American Cancer Society enough for making this day possible. It’s one I look forward to every year.”

In addition to donating for every caution lap, Team Chevy will donate $5 for every post to the Instagram and Twitter accounts @IDriveFor between now and October 31.

The First Data 500 on October 29 is the seventh race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

The weekend starts on Friday with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice and continues on

Saturday with the Texas Roadhouse 200 and Virginia Lottery Pole Qualifying for the First Data 500.

The weekend continues on Sunday with the First Data 500.

Kids 17-and-under are free Saturday and just $25 on Sunday.

To purchase tickets call 877.RACE.TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

Martinsville Speedway PR