Ernie Irvan Returns to Racetrack with Fellow NASCAR Celebrities for LAPS Walk

Event at MIS Raises Funds for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors - Motorist, Military and Civilian Alike

BROOKLYN, Mich., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) and Ernie Irvan's non-profit organization Race2Safety will hold the third annual LAPS Walk, presented by AAA and endorsed by NASCAR, beginning at 11 a.m. on August 16 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn. Irvan, fellow NASCAR celebrities, members of the American military, NASCAR fans and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors will unite on the track at 10:30 a.m. for opening ceremonies and a Tribute Lap in the quest to conquer TBI in America.

This year's walk will honor "Helmets and Heroes," with a portion of the funds raised helping to treat and care for returning veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Two-thirds of American service personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan sustain TBIs, and many returning veterans will participate in this year's event. The Michigan Army National Guard will have a strong presence trackside, with activities including an obstacle course and rock-climbing wall, display of military hardware and a fly-in by Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters.

"AAA has a history of serving the motoring public since 1916," said Mike Yost, AAA Motorsports Director. "We know national statistics show half of all TBIs to people under age 75 are due to transportation accidents involving automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. We are proud to participate in this effort to help those who have been injured, both overseas and here at home, and to hopefully prevent future injuries."

NASCAR celebrities scheduled to appear include Irvan's former crew chief Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond of SPEED Channel, and NASCAR legend Bobby Allison. Current drivers are expected to commit in the next few days.

A Tribute Lap will include AAA-branded Miller Industry tow trucks driving beside the LAPS Walk pace car and military vehicles to honor those who have sustained TBIs. Additional elements of LAPS Walk will include a live musical performance by country singer and TBI activist Christi Bauerlee, and the announcement of prizes for LAPS Walk's top fundraisers. The top fundraiser, to be announced at LAPS Walk, will win a ride with a friend in the Busch race fly-over at MIS on Saturday, August 18 in an authentic WWII B-25 Bomber courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum. Each participant raising $250 or more will be entered in a drawing to win a stock car driving experience for two at MIS care of Track Time Driving Schools, Inc., and each participant raising $100 or more will be entered to win the chance to interview Ernie Irvan live on-air on 106.7 The Fox during LAPS Walk.

"NASCAR is proud to support Ernie Irvan in his efforts for Traumatic Brain Injury awareness and prevention through this great event. The LAPS Walk provides NASCAR fans with a unique experience, all while supporting a great cause," said Mike Helton, NASCAR President.

Registration for LAPS Walk is now available at www.lapswalk.org or by calling the Brain Injury Association of Michigan at 800.772.4323. Participants may also register on-site at LAPS Walk in Turn Four of the infield of MIS starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 16.

The Brain Injury Association of Michigan was founded in 1981 by family members, persons with brain injury and persons in the brain injury profession. At the time, brain injuries were largely misunderstood and services for those affected were hard to find. In the years since its inception, much progress has been made in treating brain injuries, and the BIAMI has expanded its focus to include prevention programs. The BIAMI's mission is to enhance the lives of those affected by brain injury through education, advocacy, research and local support groups and to reduce the incidence of brain injury through prevention.

Race 2 Safety was formed in 2004 to make a positive difference in the lives of men, women and children across America by informing and educating them about the latest transportation-related head protection equipment and technologies and actively promoting the everyday use of such equipment. Race 2 Safety works closely with safety equipment manufacturers, head injury prevention and treatment associations, as well as state and federal transportation safety organizations to help dramatically reduce the number of transportation-related traumatic brain injuries that occur every year.

AAA Michigan offers travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 50 million members in the United States and Canada.

Source: AAA Michigan ‹ previous  •  156 of 12885  •  next ›