MINNEAPOLIS (June 6) – During the month of June, race fans will be seeing pink when they attend one of nearly 20 events for the USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour powered by Swan Energy during Summer Speedweeks.
Zack VanderBeek’s USMTS Modified will still carry the familiar #33Z on the door, but instead of the usual red and yellow Casey’s colors his Skyrocket Chassis will be wrapped in a special pink and black design in support of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure to help fight and find a cure for breast cancer.
The pink “Tour for a Cure” car is scheduled to debut at the Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., on Tuesday, June 7, and will make its final appearance at the North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., on June 25.
Chris Brown of Minneapolis has spearheaded the special-edition machines in USMTS competition for three years now. In 2009, Mark Noble first donned the pink colors in support of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and last year VanderBeek’s USMTS Modified was decked out in a memorable look that highlighted the Victory Junction children’s camp.
This year VanderBeek is back in black (and pink, of course).
Brown is a 32-year old race fan who lost his girlfriend, Jolene, to breast cancer several years ago. She was just 27 when it first appeared and before it was all over she had fought it twice.
“This car is dedicated to Jolene and to all women in hopes that those who have encountered breast cancer can survive, and those who haven’t encountered it never will,” said Brown.
“We are looking forward to talking with the fans and hearing their connection to the fight to end breast cancer.”
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days and one of the boldest statements a person can make in the fight against breast cancer. Net proceeds from the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs.
Brown will be walking 60 miles (about 160 laps around Deer Creek Speedway) from Aug. 19-21 through Minneapolis/St. Paul, along with his fiancée Melissa, father Doug and close friends Melanie and Valerie, sisters who fight together.
Race fans can help Brown’s cause and join in the fight to wipe out breast cancer by purchasing a special, limited edition T-shirt and/or decal or by making a free will donation to their team at the track or through their website at www.the3day.org/goto/legacy.
Brown and the 33Z Racing Team will also have pink and black checkered flags you’ll see at all the races where the car competes at. The flags, along with body panels from the car, will be auctioned off after the tour is complete.
All proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Special thanks to Casey’s General Stores, Aero Race Wheels, Forty9 Designs, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Intensitee and Skyrocket Chassis for their support. Biggest thanks to the VanderBeek family for supporting and participating in the fight.
Fans can see VanderBeek’s pink USMTS Modified compete at the following events:
Tue Jun 7 … Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, S.D.
Wed Jun 8 … Red River Valley Speedway, West Fargo, N.D.
Thu Jun 9 … Casino Speedway, Watertown, S.D.
Fri Jun 10 … Brown County Speedway, Aberdeen, S.D.
Sat Jun 11 … Jamestown Speedway, Jamestown, N.D.
Sun Jun 12 … Nobles County Speedway, Worthington, Minn.
Mon Jun 13 … Mineral City Speedway, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Tue Jun 14 … Fairmont Raceway, Fairmont, Minn.
Wed Jun 15 … Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa
Thu Jun 16 … Central Wisconsin Raceway, Unity, Wis.
Fri Jun 17 … Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis.
Sat Jun 18 … Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, Wis.
Tue Jun 21 … I-35 Speedway, Mason City, Iowa
Wed Jun 22 … Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, Iowa
Thu Jun 23 … Park Jefferson Speedway, Jefferson, S.D.
Fri Jun 24 … Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, Iowa
Sat Jun 25 … North Central Speedway, Brainerd, Minn.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also follow the USMTS on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube.
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USMTS TITLE SPONSORS: Casey’s General Stores, Swan Energy.
USMTS OFFICIAL SPONSORS: American Racer Racing Tires, Awesome Race Suits, Cheetos, Intercomp, Karl Chevrolet, KEVKO Oil Pans & Components, New Vision Graphics, Nitroquest, RACEceiver, SLAP Energy, Snickers.
USMTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORS: Arnold Motor Supply, ASi Racewear, BRODIX Cylinder Heads, DAY Motor Sports, Dirthead.com, DirtKnights.com, Dirt Track Racing School, DrySlik Dirt Trak Racewear, Farm Boy BBQ Sauce, Intensitee Custom Racewear, Karl Performance Parts, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olympic Fire Protection, Ramirez Race Cars, Ruter Farms, Schwab’s Tinker Shop, Sybesma Graphics, Yeager Machine.
USMTS CONTINGENCY SPONSORS: AFCO Racing Products, COMP Cams, CPD Racing Tools, Eibach Springs, Erson Cams, Fast Shafts, Forty9Designs.com, Genesis Shocks, Hooker Harness, Hypercoil Springs, ISKY Racing Cams, The Joie of Seating, KSE Racing Products, Marsh Racing Wheels, Out-Pace Racing Products, PBM Performance Products, Quarter Master, Real Racing Wheels, RHS – Racing Head Service, Tiger Rear Ends, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, WIX Filters.