NASCAR Driver Willie Allen to Help Raise ALS Awareness on ESPN2 

On Saturday, Sept. 25, Willie Allen will display the logo of The ALS Association on the hood of his #05 Chevrolet during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway. ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a cause that is very close to Allen and his family. Allen recently lost his father to ALS and hopes to help raise awareness about the disease. 

Allen and the Day Enterprise team will host several guests from The ALS Association by making them honorary pit crew members at this weekend's event.  Christine Kirkley from the DC/VA/MD Chapter will accompany AL Herman (who has ALS), along with his wife, Cathy, and daughter, Mary. 

"Having the ALS Association logo on our car this weekend means the world to me," said Allen. "Having lost my father to ALS, this is a cause that is very close to my heart. I hope we can help The ALS Association raise the level of awareness for this terrible disease. There is definitely a lack of money available for research and a cure has yet to be discovered. The ALS Association is doing a great job leading global research and providing people with ALS access to support services. I'm looking forward to meeting our honorary crew members this weekend and discussing the effects of ALS with them. Hopefully we'll run up front and bring home a good finish for everyone." 

Headquarter in Washington, DC, The ALS Association relentlessly pursues its mission of leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support. 

“The ALS Association is excited about the opportunity to be involved Mr. Allen and his team and appreciates his willingness to help raise awareness about ALS,” said ALS Association President and CEO Jane H. Gilbert.  “We welcome NASCAR’s support of The ALS Association.” 

The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front.  By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. 

Catch all the action of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dover 200 on Saturday, September 25. Live coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.  Check your local listings for the time and channel in your area. 

For more information on Willie Allen, please click here.