The classic black and white checkered start/finish-line at Las Vegas Motor Speedway might look a little different this Sunday as it has been painted pink once again in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October is known to be a month with many special holidays, but one particular cause has been highly showcased at LVMS for the past two years. Two years ago, the LVMS playoff date changed from September to October. Since then, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been a central focal point at LVMS.
The start-finish line has sported pink for its fall playoff weekend's Alsco Uniforms 302 and the South Point 400. This year will mark the second year the start-finish line has been painted to support breast cancer awareness. Last year's pink start-finish line was met with overwhelming love from fans and those affected by breast cancer.
This year, 30 breast cancer survivors joined NASCAR driver and Las Vegas native Riley Herbst, LVMS President Chris Powell, South Point General Manager Ryan Growney, and other special guests in applying the ceremonial pink paint to the famous start-finish line. PGA player wives, Tawny Putman, the wife of Andrew Putnam; Anne Hickok, the wife of Kramer Hickok; Chelsey Brehm, the wife of Ryan Brehm; and Dani Werbylo, the wife of Trevor Werbylo, also helped paint the line pink. The PGA Tour Wives Association made a stop at LVMS while a few miles west of the track, their husbands were participating in the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin.
"We are so glad to be able to have this event for a second year. It is really special, and we are honored to have these survivors join us," Powell said. "The event is more than just about painting; it's about togetherness and commemorating the bravery and courage of breast cancer survivors."
Each breast cancer survivor was also invited to attend Sunday's South Point 400 as a guest of the speedway.
"I'm so grateful that the Speedway is willing to bring awareness to breast cancer by doing this; I think it's wonderful," said Desiree Steward, a breast cancer survivor, who attended the event and took part in the painting along with other members of the breast cancer survivor community.
Herbst showed his painting skills on the track Thursday but is also set to showcase his racing skills on Saturday for the Alsco Uniforms 302. Herbst looks to get his first Xfinity Series win at his home track.
"It’s my first year getting to do this, and I’m fortunate enough to do it,” Herbst said, “Las Vegas is such a great community filled with really good people, and an event like this shows that.”
