Two hundred miles of concrete lay between Kelly “Girl” Sutton and the checkered flag at her first ever race at the famed Dover International Speedway. Despite the ominous nickname of “The Monster Mile,” rightfully named for its reputation as a track tough on tires and drivers, Sutton is up for the challenge. As the first person with a diagnosis of relapsing‑remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) known to race in any NASCAR series, Sutton knows a few things about overcoming challenges.

Friday, June 4, the Crownsville, Md., native will make the short trip across the Chesapeake Bay for the MBNA America 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) race at Dover International Speedway. The 32-year-old mother of two spent nearly 10 years racing in the shadows of the speedway and is prepared to make her mark when the green flag drops.

“Growing up close and racing the short tracks in the area, you can’t help but dream of racing at Dover,” said Sutton. “So many great drivers have raced at that track, and I’m honored to be a part of its history.”

Sutton will not only battle other drivers for positions on the track, but also to overcome the common misconceptions associated with MS. The roar of Sutton’s engine on each lap of the one-mile oval will serve as an anthem for the more than 400,000 Americans living with MS. 

In addition to her work to change the image of MS through the proactive management of her disease, 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.

“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.