The NASCAR community has embraced the messaging of Autism Speaks, and throughout the May 13-15, 2011 race weekend in Dover, 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cares, 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series cars and 20 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series trucks will sport the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece logo as a sign of support for the nation’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dover International Speedway, and appreciate NASCAR and FedEx’s efforts to help raise awareness and funds for our cause,” said Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks. “Thanks to everyone’s support race weekend at Dover will take on special meaning for NASCAR fans and the autism community alike. We couldn’t ask for better partners.” 

Participating drivers and teams include: 

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 

Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge
Kasey Kahne, No. 4 Red Bull Toyota
David Ragan, No. 6 UPS Ford
Marcos Ambrose, No. 9 Dewalt Ford
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 FedEx Ground/Autism Speaks Toyota
Casey Mears, No. 13 Geico Toyota
Tony Stewart, No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet
Greg Biffle, No. 16 3M Ford
Matt Kenseth, No. 17 Wilex X Sunglasses Ford
Kyle Busch, No. 18 M&M's Toyota
Joey Logano, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota
Kurt Busch, No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge
Paul Menard, No. 27 CertainTeeds/Menard Chevrolet
Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet
Jeff Burton, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet
Clint Bowyer, No. 33 BB&T Chevrolet
David Gilliland, No. 34 Taco Bell Ford
Travis Kvapil, No. 38 Long John Silver's Ford
Ryan Newman, No. 39 Haas Automotive Chevrolet
Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Target Chevrolet
AJ Allmendinger, No. 43 Best Buy Ford
J.J. YeleY, No. 46 Red Line Oil Chevrolet
Martin Truex Jr., No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
Mike Skinner, No. 60 Big Red Toyota
Michael McDowell, No. 66 HP Racing Toyota
Scott Riggs, No. 81 Whitney Motorsports Chevrolet
Brian Vickers, No. 83 Red Bull Toyota
Carl Edwards, No. 99 Aflac Ford 

NASCAR Nationwide Series 

Elliott Sadler, No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet
Brian Scott, No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota
Eric McClure, No. 14 Hefty BlackOut/Reynolds Chevrolet
Kyle Busch, No. 18 MAC Tools Toyota
Mike Bliss, No. 19 TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet
Joey Logano, No. 20 Harvest Investments Toyota
James Buescher, No. 30 AFB Freight Chevrolet
Justin Allgaier, No. 31 Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet
Reed Sorenson, No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet
Clint Bowyer, No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet
Jason Leffler, No. 38 Great Clips Chevrolet
Jeff Green, No. 44 TriStar Motorsports Chevrolet
Carl Edwards, No. 60 Fastenal Ford
Donnie Neuenberger, No. 81 Eagle Convenience Store Dodge
Ryan Truex, No. 99 Pastrana-Waltrip Racing Toyota 

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 

Kevin Harvick, No. 2 Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shop Chevrolet
Ricky CarmichaeL, No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet
Timothy Peters, No. 7 Stemco/Duroline Toyota
Nelson Piquet Jr., No. 8 Autotrac Chevrolet
Max Papis, No. 9 Geico Toyota
Johnny Sauter, No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet
Miguel Paludo, No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota
Joey Coulter, No. 22 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Jason White, No. 23 Gunbroker.com Chevrolet
Todd Bodine, No. 30 Germain.com Toyota
James Buescher, No. 31 Space Coast Centers Chevrolet
Brad Sweet, No. 32 Great Clips Chevrolet
Ron Hornaday Jr., No. 33 UTZ Snacks Chevrolet
Justin Johnson, No. 51 Wounded Warriors Project/Vision Airlines Toyota
Cole Whitt, No. 60 Red Bull/Fuel Doctor Chevrolet
Brendan Gaughan, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota
Justin Marks, No. 66 Go Pro Chevrolet
Justin Lofton, No. 77 Lofton Cattle Toyota
Matt Crafton, No. 88 Menards/Certainteed Chevrolet 

NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile on May 13-15, 2011. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com. 

About Autism 

Autism is a complex, neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral changes. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one of 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. 

About Autism Speaks 

Autism Speaks is North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, and is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing more than $160 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs, including: The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network; Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange; and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, which Autism Speaks celebrates through its Light it Up Blue initiative. Each year, Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly diagnosed families, a School Community Took Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments in 26 states thus far, with bills pending in an additional 12 states. To learn more about Autism Speaks, visit www.autismspeaks.org.

Ticket holders can get on the track for free on Saturday, May 14 for the ‘5-hour ENERGY Open Track’ session

May 5, Dover, DE--- Interested in getting up close and personal with the Monster Mile prior to the May 14 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway? Well the race’s title sponsor is providing just that opportunity as it is set to host the “5-hour ENERGY Open Track” session. 

From 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, NASCAR Nationwide Series race ticket holders will have the chance to enter the track at Gate 18 and roam pit road and the frontstretch of the Monster Mile, with a few special bonuses planned as well. 

Steve Wallace, driver of the No. 66 5-hour ENERGY Toyota, will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for a few pictures on the pre-race stage from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The 5-hour ENERGY car Wallace drove in the Daytona 500 will also be on the track for fans to get an intimate look at a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stockcar. 

All fans must have their “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race tickets with them, which will be double-scanned to permit reentrance to the track for the race later in the day. Bags and coolers are not permitted on the track, and those who bring them will be asked to leave them at the gate. 

Great seats are still available for the “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday, May 14, along with the May 15 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and May 13 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. For information or tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.