Ray Paprota, the first and only paraplegic driver to compete in a NASCAR Touring Series will appear in the August 20, NASCAR Goody’s Dash Pabst Blue Ribbon 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Paprota uses state-of-the-art hand controls that enable him to operate the throttle, brakes and clutch with both hands on the steering wheel. Paralyzed in a motor vehicle accident at the age of 21, Paprota who is unable to use his legs, began racing Legends Series race cars in 1996. He credits NASCAR and Goody’s with providing an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities in a race car rather than focusing on his limitations in a wheelchair. Former NASCAR crew chief George White and Winston Cup Champion Bobby Allison became aware of his racing achievements in the Legends car and have helped transition him into the competitive world of NASCAR. Longtime Goody’s Dash competitor Danny Bagwell heard of Ray’s desire to compete in the series and provided a race car in which the newest version of hand controls were installed “You can’t just buy these controls off the shelve, we have been refining this unit for several years now. I first tested them in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck and later in an ARCA car before adapting them to the Dash car. We worked closely with NASCAR to receive my NASCAR drivers’ credentials and gain approval of the modifications for the controls,” says Ray. The system utilizes pneumatic cylinders to actuate the brake and clutch peddles and a cable operated throttle for the gas. Ray pushes a button on the transmission shifter knob that dictates how quickly the clutch peddle is released, allowing a smooth acceleration in the pits or fast gear changes in the race. The entire system received close scrutiny before Paprota made NASCAR history when he competed in his first Goody’s Dash series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 25, 2002. “We wanted nothing handed to us, I wanted to be allowed to compete because I’m a good race car driver and for no other reason,” said Paprota. Paprota currently is exploring opportunities for 2004 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA Series.(BMS PR)(8-20-2003)
