NASCAR FedEx 400 is a stock car race that benefits Autism Speaks. It has been four years since the FedEx corporation, Autism Speaks, and the Dover International speedway have teamed up. FedEx is the head sponsor of this race of the NASCAR car sprint cup series. For three years there has been a special event for Autism Speaks at the race on June first.
This special event gives people on the Autism spectrum the opportunity to attend the race in a more relaxed atmosphere. This specific package is suitable for the sensory needs of people in the Autism spectrum, in the grandstands of the Monster Mile. It has the best view of the back stretch area of the track, food, and beverages, and the drivers come up before the race, as well as special education speakers, and more. This special area is in a noise controlled room, that has screens set up to watch the race or watch family friendly movies. It is designed to cut down on the crowd noise. Tickets are sold at $88 for an adult, and $20 for children 14 and under. The $88 price represents the fact that one in eighty-eight children in the United States is on the spectrum. This number has increased from six years ago, partially due to increased medical facilities, and knowledge. A percentage of the profits for this NASCAR race are given to Autism Speaks.
This program designed to help Autism Speaks, and people on the spectrum, was voted the best public relations package of 2013. A person interested in purchasing tickets for this event can do so online at DoverSpeedway.com, or the company has a toll-free number to call and order by phone.
Monster Mile is the worlds foremost science and support group. They help raise monies, and understanding through the whole weekend. Drivers in all three tours have decals on their cars for Autism awareness for the entire weekend.
The race starts out with an introduction of what NASCAR FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks is all about. There are special speakers, and entertainment. The race is the first of the Sprint Cup series, chase for the cup. Denny Hamlin participates in helping to raise awareness for Autism as well. The 21 century cures act, was solidly accepted. This will increase monies for the National Institute of Health. This will allow medical trials to stay up to date, and speed up new developments of personal, precise medications. The benefits of this is to see what medicines work best for Autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD is generally considered to have the following symptoms, having constant problems with social skills, repeats particular patterns, and behaviors, keeps the same interests, and is resistant to change. It is called spectrum, because there are a number of symptoms, and levels of deficiency. Sometimes children only have very mild symptoms, and sometimes the symptoms are more severe. Aspergers is the most mild on the spectrum. The NASCAR FedEx 400 helps to bring a better understanding to the spectrum disorders. For more information about ASD, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver institute website is set up to help with a more comprehensive understanding. The Centers for Disease Control has information on their website as well.
There are quite a few dozen families that go to the NASCAR sponsored ‘Autism Speaks Day at the Races’ in the warm, friendly atmosphere in the grandstands. There are a list of speakers that includes the Autism vice president, NASCAR drivers, and crew chiefs, and Joe Gibbs, Trent Owens, and Richard Petty. The FedEx 400 benefitting Autism Speaks NASCAR race was not only the special aspect of the event itself, but also that each family would be going home with a special Autism toy from Toy-R-Us.
By Katherine Miller-Chichester
Sources:
autismspeaks.org: Great day for our families at “FedEx 400 Benefitting Autism Speaks”
autismspeaks.org: Autism Speaks Applauds Bipartisan Approval of 21st Cures Act
nimh.nih.gov: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Photo courtesy of The US Army’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
