Dexter Bean, BlackJack Racing Bring Diabetes Awareness to Memphis Busch Race
Dexter Bean, BlackJack Racing Bring Diabetes Awareness to Memphis Busch Race MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Friday, October 27, 2006) - - In recognition of November ’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, BlackJack Racing with NASCAR Busch Series rookie Dexter Bean will unload their No. 63 Ford Taurus at Memphis Motorsports Park Friday proudly hoisting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) logos in an effort to broaden the racing community’s understanding of the critical need to find a cure for this disease. JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes people—many of them children—suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Since it’s founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1 billion to diabetes research, including more than $123 million in 2006. So far this year, JDRF has funded 500 centers, grants and fellowships in the United States and abroad. For family-owned BlackJack Racing led by David Bean, the decision to give the foundation some exposure in the final stand-alone NASCAR Busch Series event of the season wasn’t difficult. “I’ve always been a big fan of helping foundations,�?? the successful entrepreneur from Westby, Wisconsin said. “With National Diabetes Awareness Month quickly approaching, we thought it would be a great way to give back to an organization that means so much and does so much for people around the world struggling with diabetes. Our goal this weekend at the track is to put the spotlight on this disease and help JDRF accelerate their drive to a cure. JDRF is a very worthwhile organization doing very important work, I’m just glad I can help.�?? Bean continued, “The BlackJack Racing team is very excited and privileged to be carrying the JDRF logos this weekend and we’re looking forward to developing a long-lasting relationship with a foundation that we support 150 percent. �?? For driver Dexter Bean, the perception of possibly making his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Memphis is a huge milestone in his young racing career, but being associated with a foundation that has received top rankings from independent charity watchdog groups like the American Institute of Philanthropy is a huge honor. “I couldn’t be happier to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, �?? he said. “I think we will make great partners in the search for a cure. Our team is expecting good results as we plan to make our NASCAR Busch Series debut this weekend, and we hope our partnership with JDRF will be similarly successful. �?? He added, “As a driver, we’re often viewed as role models which allow us to lend support to causes and organizations that are in need. I think it’s our responsibility, because we are so fortunate, to do all we can. JDRF is doing great work and I encourage race fans everywhere to join in our support.�?? The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is very grateful to The Bean family, David, Cheryl, Andrea, Dexter, Dillon and Caycee. JDRF would also like to thank the NASCAR family and fans for their interest, concern and support and to remind everyone, that The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, remains as always, Dedicated to finding a Cure. After a successful freshman campaign in the ARCA RE/MAX Series which saw a strong performance for the youngster in the final four races of the season which included a pole, three top-ten finishes, several laps led and locked out of the top-ten once with a finish of 11th (Salem). Bean hopes that strong momentum will continue in tomorrow’s Sam’s Town 250. “Obviously we have a lot to prove this weekend,�?? said Bean who finished a strong 12th in the final ARCA RE/MAX Series point standings. “In addition to deliver our message about JDRF, we are also looking to put our No. 63 BlackJack Racing Ford upfront. If we can overcome any obstacles that our team may face and put a strong effort together in the race, I think we’ll turn a lot of heads in every direction. We would be happy to finish in the top-15 and gain additional support for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.�?? The Sam’s Town 250 (250 laps/187.5 miles) is the 32nd of 35 events on the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series schedule. Practice begins Friday, October 27, at 3:00pm with a final practice to follow later Friday afternoon at 5:00pm. Busch pole qualifying is set for Saturday morning slated to begin at 11:05am. NBC will air the event live beginning at 2:00PM EST, with MRN handling the airwaves starting at 1:30 PM EST. The race will also be available via XM satellite radio channel 144 launching at 1:15 pm EST. For further input on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, please logon to _http://www.jdrf.org_ (http://www.jdrf.org/) or call 1.800.533.CURE (2873). For more information on Dexter Bean, please visit _http://www.dexterbean.net_ (http://www.dexterbean.net/) ### CONTACT: NAME: Chris Knight, BlackJack Racing PHONE: 734.660.2333 or 608.634.4242 EMAIL: _knight849@aol.com_ (mailto:knight849@aol.com) NAME: Robert Weiss, BlackJack Racing PHONE: 414.763.9231 EMAIL: _RWeiss9@wi.rr.com_ (mailto:RWeiss9@wi.rr.com) NAME: Peter Cleary, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation PHONE: 917.574.6993 EMAIL: _pcleary@jdrf.org_ (mailto:pcleary@jdrf.org)