As a kickoff to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR Chase at America’s Home for Racing, more than 100 breast cancer survivors and supporters joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) and Charlotte Motor Speedway to paint the iconic pit road wall pink in a moving display of solidarity and hope.
Among those on hand for the race week event were NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Preece, Todd Gilliland, Cole Custer and Cody Ware. NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers Lavar Scott and Brad Perez also joined as well as NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver Daniel Hemric.
The 14th annual Paint Pit Wall Pink celebration has become one of Charlotte’s most powerful traditions leading into race weekend, setting the stage for Saturday’s Blue Cross NC 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts showdown and Sunday’s Bank of America 400, which returns to the iconic oval for the first time since 2017. This year’s event underscored a commitment to raising awareness for the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer, supporting those currently fighting their own battles and celebrating survivors.
“Standing here today is incredibly emotional for me, because exactly one year ago, my life looked very different,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Jessica Fickenscher. “I had just heard the words no woman ever expects to hear: “You have breast cancer. Everything suddenly felt uncertain. And then I walked into this event, Paint Pit Wall Pink. I remember seeing all the pink. But more importantly, I saw the women. I saw survivors. I saw women laughing, hugging, living their lives, and standing on the other side of something that I had just been told I was going to have to face. And I remember thinking, ‘Okay. I can do this. I’m going to be okay.’”
MAKING AN IMPACT
In addition to painting more than 1,300 feet of pit road in a visible sign of support that will remain throughout the weekend, those gathered heard stories from survivors, participated in a survivors’ parade lap around the famed frontstretch quarter-mile and packed care packages for those currently fighting. The more than 250 care packages will be distributed through Atrium Health’s Project Pink and Nothing Pink, two local programs supporting those facing breast cancer battles.
“Paint Pit Wall Pink is a chance for us to shine a light on the resilient individuals impacted by breast cancer,” said Cheryl Parquet, Associate Vice President of Community Engagement at Blue Cross NC. “As we gather during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and honor those at every stage of their journey, we’re reminded of the power of community and the difference it makes when we come together to support one another.”
BLUE CROSS NC: BEYOND AWARENESS
For more than a decade, Blue Cross NC has partnered with Charlotte Motor Speedway to use racing as a platform for community impact. This year, the company is building on its commitment by broadening its focus to serve additional North Carolina communities — addressing issues such as food insecurity while continuing to champion cancer prevention and survivor support.
— Charlotte Motor Speedway —