Damon Lusk will have a larger-than-life image of 5-year-old Sofia Juarez on the trunk of his race car March 1 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR Busch Series race. The aim is to help give national exposure to the Kennewick, WA childs disappearance. Lusk, 26, and car owner Tommy Baldwin Racing agreed to donate the 20-by-50-inch space on the #6 Dodge to help draw attention to the 17-day-old search for Sofia, who is missing and considered endangered. Not only will tens of thousands of raceway spectators see her picture and a phone number to call with information, but the race also will be televised on FX, a cable affiliate of Fox on Saturday. Lusk said he is glad to offer the spot, which would normally bring $13,000 in sponsorship money. The car is sponsored by Sta-Rite Pumps. Detectives continue to work leads in the case, which has captured the attention of Tri-Citians. Sofia apparently walked away from her home at 115 E. 15th Ave. the evening of Feb. 4. Police, aided by the FBI and several law enforcement and rescue agencies, have invested thousands of hours, as have hundreds of volunteers. An aerial search using thermal imaging this week came up with no real evidence. A Web site for Sofia was established Thursday by the Tri-City Herald to help keep the public informed about her. It contains current and past stories, photographs and personal information about Sofia, what she was wearing when she disappeared and whom to contact with tips about her whereabouts. That Web site is www.tri-cityherald.com/reports/sofia. The National center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com also carries information about Sofias case. The centers phone number for tips is 800-843-5678.(Tri-City Herald)(2-25-2003)
