10/09/2015

Sadler Creates Special Weekend for Breast Cancer Survivor at Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. (October 7, 2015) – This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Elliott Sadler, the driver of the No. 1 OneMain Financial Ford Mustang, will provide a once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience for one lucky fan and their guest. Sadler asked his fans on Facebook to submit a story of someone who has been affected by breast cancer and deserves a VIP race experience.

Rhonda Griffin, who was nominated for and won the VIP experience, had no idea she was nominated until getting a call from Sadler’s team that she had won. Griffin found out she had breast cancer in June of 2009. The cancer was surgically removed in July of 2009 and Griffin underwent 33 radiation treatments following the surgery. As of July 31, 2015, Griffin has been cancer-free for six years. Not long after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Griffin created ‘Cruisin for Cancer,’ a fundraising event to help raise money for cancer patients in her own community in Ohio. In the past six years, Griffin has raised more than $39,000.

Sadler’s VIP racing experience includes: travel costs to and from Charlotte, VIP tour of the Roush Fenway Racing hauler, meet and greet with Sadler before the race, opportunity to watch the race from pit road and a VIP gift package.

“I’m excited to meet Rhonda this weekend and I’m honored to have the ability to provide a special VIP race experience for her and a guest in Charlotte. Each year we try to do something new to help raise breast cancer awareness. This year we wanted to reward a special person who has been affected by breast cancer,” Sadler said.

Sadler has a personal connection to the effects of breast cancer as his mother, Bell, is a breast cancer survivor. Each year Sadler has done something different to help spread awareness of breast cancer and help raise money for breast cancer research. This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it will be easy to spot Sadler in his new pink No. 1 OneMain Financial Ford Mustang. Sadler will also wear a custom pink firesuit, and his staple pink Oakley driving shoes, which he wears at each NASCAR event to show his support for breast cancer awareness.

When Sadler’s mother, Bell, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, the Emporia, Va., driver became an advocate for the cause. Along with older brother Hermie, the Sadler brothers developed the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation to support breast cancer research, awareness and funding. Bell is now a survivor, and Sadler wears the pink shoes each and every week to honor her.

“I wear pink shoes every single race to honor mom, and what she has been going through and continues to go through, and for all breast cancer survivors,” said Sadler. “It’s so great that we are going to be able to continue to support this cause by auctioning off the pink shoes that I wear each week. I think everyone looks good in pink.”

Sadler will continue his support for breast cancer awareness by wearing the pink shoes for the remainder of the season, and fans will have the opportunity to bid on his race-worn pink shoes throughout the season. Proceeds of the auction will go toward breast cancer research and education. For more information, stay tuned to www.sadlerfoundation.org.

Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series competition with drivers Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Elliott Sadler, Ryan Reed, Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. Now in its 28th season, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and producing multiple award-winning digital and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by Jack Roush, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.