Catchfence

STATESVILLE, N.C. – This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler is driving into the month of April with something important on his mind—raising awareness for Autism—by wearing a specially designed autism awareness helmet for Autism Awareness month. The helmet features the familiar multi-colored puzzle pieces that have become the symbol for autism awareness, along with the arrow pointing forward that is prominently placed on every Sadler helmet. Following the month of April the helmet will go up for online auction at www.SadlerFoundation.org to raise money that will directly benefit The Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation and autism related charities.

SADLER QUOTES

WHY IS SUPPORTING AUTISM IMPORTANT TO YOU: “I think the reason that it’s so important to me is because of my niece Halie. Halie was diagnosed with Autism a couple years ago, and when she was we didn’t know what it was or really anything about it. So we went out and researched the disorder and what we could do to help. To be honest it was the reason that my brother Hermie (Sadler) and I started our foundation. We wanted to raise autism awareness and money to further research and help other families in our situation. One of the biggest things that we’ve learned at this point is that early detection is the biggest key.”

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE HELMET: “It’s awesome! These are my favorite helmets that I wear each year. I wear the helmet for the entire month of April in support of Autism Awareness Month and then at the end of the month we put the helmet up for bid on www.sadlerfoundation.org. This is our third year and so far we have raised over $13,000 for our foundation and autism related charities.

“For sports memorabilia collectors, they should know that each year we produce a brand new helmet design so that you are bidding on a one-of-a-kind item.”

AUTISM INFORMATION

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S., affecting 1 in 150 children. Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Austim is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and AIDS combined. World Autism Day is April 2. People worldwide will be using this day to bring awareness to autism as a growing global health crisis.

ADDITIONAL NOTES OF INTEREST

· Sadler’s Autism Awareness helmets worn the past two
years have raised a total of $13,567 through online auctions hosted by the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation’s Web site. ($6,900 in 2008, $6667 in 2007)

· Sadler’s best career start at Texas Motor Speedway was second (three times, most recently the fall of 2006) and his lone win at the track came in the 2004 spring race.

· In 14 career starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Elliott Sadler has one win, one top-five and three top 10s. He’s led 148 total laps and completed 91.9 percent (4,307 of 4,686) of the total laps.

· Chassis No. 269 will serve as the primary. No. 269 las raced at California in February. Chassis 259 will serve as the backup. Chassis No. 259 has served as the backup at multiple tracks this year including Las Vegas and Atlanta.

- Richard Petty Motorsports, Press Release