Female Driver With MS Returns to her “Home Away From Home”

While Kelly Sutton’s crew feverishly prepares for the  season’s fourth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) race in Charlotte, she steps out of the Huntersville, N.C., race shop to concentrate on the race ahead. Sutton knows that racing under the lights of the 1.5 mile oval of Lowe’s Motor Speedway will be demanding, but she’s prepared for that. She’s raced here before, and knows something about facing challenges.

When Sutton takes the green flag at the Tailgate 200 Friday, May 21, she will not only battle other drivers for positions on the track, but also to overcome the common misconceptions associated with multiple sclerosis. The 32-year-old mother of two is the first known person with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to race in any NASCAR series, and is committed to changing the face of MS across the nation. She inspires thousands every time she pulls onto the track, and the roar of her engine as she accelerates out of the steep, banked turns will serve as an anthem for the more than 400,000 Americans living with MS.

Relocating the race operations to North Carolina may have allowed Sutton to immerse herself in the inner workings of the racing world, but it also has enabled her to speak to those around the state that have been affected by this chronic neurological disease. Her message is one of hope and inspiration, and she encourages everyone never to lose sight of their dreams.

In addition to serving as a role model for those living with MS, Sutton continues to open doors for women in racing. She is one of only two women drivers competing full-time in the NCTS this season and is looking forward to Friday’s race.

“I want to show the country that when I put on my helmet, I’m just a driver. I have MS, and I’m a woman, but I won’t let either stand in my way,” said Sutton.

Staying on Track With MS
Kelly Sutton is no stranger to the NCTS. Runs at Memphis, Loudon, and Phoenix during the 2003 season helped her learn to corral the stronger, 750 horsepower engine of the new truck. She recorded her first top-20 in only her third NCTS start, with an impressive 19th place finish in the season finale at Homestead. Along with her entry into the NCTS, Sutton put together a string of impressive finishes in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series, which included three consecutive top-10 finishes in June and July. She climbed as high as sixth in championship points and finished the season eighth in the overall point standings, in only her second full season. Racing seemed to be Sutton’s destiny, but nothing could prepare her for her sudden turn of fate.

Sutton, a third generation driver, began riding motorcycles when she was just 10 years old. At the age of 12, she graduated to go-carts. By the time she was 15, Sutton was ready to make her mark in local racing — until overwhelming fatigue and a tingling sensation on her right side brought her into the garage for a check-up. After testing from her neurologist, Sutton, 16, was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

“I was devastated,” said Sutton. “I was 16 years old, and all I wanted to do was race. At that age, you don’t expect something like MS to become a factor in your life.”

Although Sutton spent some time in a wheelchair, she was determined to learn how to manage her disease and pursue her dream of racing. While individual results may vary, she found herself back in the driver’s seat through a disciplined exercise regimen, a conscientious diet, and a daily injection of drug therapy.

An Inspiration to Many
When not on the track, Sutton travels around the country sharing her personal story with the MS community, inspiring audiences, and being inspired by them. Sutton’s determination and unique story continue to resonate with fans and offer hope to those touched by MS. Her courage and resolve earned Sutton a treasured 2004 Gene Autry Courage Award from Angels Care and the Tempe Sports Authority in March, and the distinguished 2003 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, presented by the Women’s Sports Foundation. This prestigious award is given annually to a female athlete who exhibits extraordinary courage in her athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity, and makes significant contributions to her sport, with previous recipients including such notables as Martina Navratilova and Gail Devers.