NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Cruz Pedregon and his Funny Car team are joining the war against veteran suicide at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals with the help of Mission 22. 

Mission 22 was founded by Special Forces operators Magnus Johnson and Mike Kissel and infantryman Brad Hubbard. Because of their personal battles with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), they have made it their mission to raise awareness, enlist support, and end veteran suicide in America. 

"I was shocked to find out that we lose over 20 veterans to suicide every day,” said Pedregon.T”his is something that needs to be brought to the world's attention and I hope myself and my team can help get the message of Mission 22 out there. We all love the sport of drag racing, but we do not get to do this without the men and women who put on military uniforms and fight for the freedoms that we have. So, if there is a way that I can use my race car to promote a great cause I will." 

Mission 22 has three major programs: funding treatment for Posttraumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other issues that veterans face; creating large-scale public memorials to honor veterans and bringing awareness to the issues veterans are facing today; and funding veterans to receive treatment for Posttraumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and other issues they may be facing through partner organizations, large scale public art to honor veterans, and creating social impact for the issues veterans are facing today. 

"At the end of the weekend I will take four pistons and four rods from our car, autograph them and put them on our eBay site to be auctioned off with all the proceeds going to Mission 22,” said Pedregon. “NHRA fans are the most passionate fans in motorsports and when there are people that need help, they are always there to lend a helping hand." 

To find out more about Mission 22, how to donate, or become an ambassador, visit www.mission22.com.