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ARCA: Shawna Robinson set to 'Race for Kids'; K-Mart Kids Race Against Drugs Returns to ARCA Circuit

13 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

HARRISBURG, N.C.- Racing and children are Shawna Robinson's passions. Kmart and Mayfield Kranefuss Racing have joined forces to allow Robinson to pursue both this season, driving the No. 8 Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs Ford Taurus in the ARCA stock car series.

"I wanted to be with a sponsor that focused on children," Robinson said. "Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs is the perfect sponsor for me. I'm a regular mom and I face the same challenges all mothers do. I am glad that I can increase awareness about the program through racing."

The Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs program was created in 1996 to educate children and their parents about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. For every child that participates in a Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs event, $5 is donated to a local drug and alcohol abuse prevention organization through The Kmart Family Foundation. Since the program's inception, The Kmart Family Foundation has donated more than $7 million to drug and alcohol abuse prevention organizations nationwide. The grassroots initiative targets children ages 7-12 and is projected to reach 700,000 children in 2000. The 37-week Kmart store tour will make 665 stops throughout 90 cities.

"We're proud that Shawna will be driving the Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs car during the 2000 ARCA season," said Bill Ellis, divisional vice president, Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs.

"When we launched the Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs program, we did it for the kids. And we did so based on the fundamental belief that businesses can no longer ignore the devastating effect that drug abuse is having on our youth, our families, and our nation's workforce. Our partnership with Shawna, who shares many of our ideals, further supports our program's goals as she races to secure a better future for our nation's children."

Racing since age 18, Robinson took a four-year sabbatical from motorsports to start a family and build a business. The mother of two decided that 1999 was her year to get back behind the wheel and pursue her dreams. The Des Moines, Ill., native secured a three-race program in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series and claimed top-five finishes at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte. That performance caught the attention of team owner Michael Kranefuss, for whom Robinson drove in Charlotte.

"To have Shawna associated with Kmart, and more specifically, the Kmart Kids Race Against Drugs program, seems only natural," said Kranefuss, who co-owns the team with NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield. "I believe her dedication to racing, as well as her talent and determination, certainly warrant her backing by a great partner like Kmart. Hopefully, as a team we can help her get to the level she deserves."

While competing in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division, Robinson was the first woman to win a series pole position, capturing the top qualifying spot at Atlanta Motor Speedway (1994) and was runner up in the 1992 Rookie-of-the-Year standings.

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