NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

A number of teams on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will show their support for cancer awareness by adding pink to their racecars throughout October.

The Shawn Langdon-driven Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car, Cruz Pedregon's Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger Funny Car, Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s JEGS Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stocker, and the Denso-sponsored EBR of Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt Smith are among those with pink touches,

This marks the second season in a row that Global Electronic Technology owners Steve and Samantha Bryson have turned their racecar pink.

“We wanted to continue to draw attention to breast cancer awareness as well as all forms of cancer treatment,” they said in a statement. “Many teams throughout professional sports highlight their support of cancer treatment and awareness but we don’t think anyone does it as fast as Shawn and the Global Electronic Technology Camry Funny Car,” said Steve and Samantha Bryson of Global Electronic Technology.

Cancer prevention and treatment hits close to home for Langdon, whose father, Chad, underwent successful live transplant surgery earlier this year after a cancer diagnosis in 2018. Langdon’s father has faced a long road of recovery but has made remarkable progress and is almost fully recovered.

“When you hear the word ‘cancer’ it just breaks your spirit. I would like to be a part of turning that reaction around,” said Langdon. “My dad was really lucky and got a liver transplant just in time earlier this season. October is known as breast cancer awareness month but I think it is also important to talk about all forms of cancer treatment and awareness throughout the year. I have to thank Steve and Samantha Bryson for all their support of my family over the past two years. I think this pink Global Electronic Technology Funny Car looks amazing and I want to park it in the winner’s circle in Charlotte and Dallas.”

Pedregon’s pink-themed Socket To Breast Cancer Dodge, which made its debut at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, recognizes the partnership his primary sponsor Snap-on has with The Pink Fund, an organization dedicated to covering 90-day, non-medical, cost-of-living expenses for individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment. Pedregon’s sister, Dora Williams, had a lumpectomy two years ago followed by radiation and will be on medication for several years

"My sister Dora was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and Molly MacDonald, The Pink Fund founder, was a great resource to her," Pedregon said. "Thankfully, Dora owns her own business, has great insurance, and her husband and family to support her, so she didn't need the financial assistance many do from The Pink Fund, but Molly was an invaluable source for information Dora couldn't find anywhere else. It's an honor to host Molly here at the track and have The Pink Fund logo on the car as a 'thank you' for being so helpful to my sister and to hundreds of other families each year."

Snap-on will once again dedicate a portion of pink-themed promotional tools sales to The Pink Fund, bringing its total donation over the past five years to more than $400,000.

Coughlin Jr. will lead a stable of Team JEGS drivers in bringing pink-colored racecars to drag strips across the. For the Coughlin family, the pink cars symbolize much more than a month of mindfulness. Rather, it reinforces a never-ending commitment they made to eradicate the disease forever.
 
To date, the JEGS Foundation has donated more than $15 million to help transform cancer treatment and research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, including the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. 

Since its inception in 2003, the JEGS Foundation has supported research and patient care programs at the world-renowned facilities, including funding the Jeg Coughlin Sr. Cancer Research Chair. Additionally, the lobby of the James is named in honor of the JEGS Foundation. 
 
The JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro will have a full pink design highlighted by the JEGS Foundation ribbon sprawled across the hood.
 
"It would be impossible to miss this beautiful racecar this month," Coughlin said. "It's got to be the brightest hot rod I've ever seen. Of course, the goal is to remind everyone that although huge amounts of progress has been made, the fight against cancer rages on and we need to remain vigilant in helping find a cure."

"When people see one of the many pink cars I'm sure will hit the strip this month, I hope it reminds them to do what they can to help. Together we can beat this thing."

Denso Products and Services Americas, Inc., and Smith are wrapping Smith’s bike in pink and black this month 

“I’m really looking forward to this wrap on our Denso Auto Parts EBR for Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Smith said. “This cause hits close to home for our team because my longtime racing partner Mark Stockseth’s wife Marshall has battled breast cancer twice. She’s a fighter, and this new design represents and honors her strength.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international campaign to educate people about the disease and raise money for research, prevention and treatment leading to a cure. In the U.S. alone, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

In 2019, nearly 42,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer. Although the disease is far more pervasive among women, approximately 500 men also will die from breast cancer this year.