LOORS: Dave Mason Jr. Glen Helen preview

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series set to Debut at Legendary Glen Helen Raceway

Seventeen year old Dave Mason Jr. is looking forward to rounds 9 and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series set to take place this Saturday and Sunday under the lights at Southern California's Legendary Glen Helen Raceway. The track is recognized as the hub of West Coast motorcross racing culture and will host its first ever Lucas Oil Off Road Racing series event August 7th and 8th. Dave Jr. is recognized as one of the series top up-and-coming drivers. After several wins and podium finishes in the Kart class, Dave Jr. made the move up to Limited Buggy for the 2010 season. So far the young driver has collected nearly all top ten finishes and one podium finish. He'll be battling for that first series win at Glen Helen this weekend.

But for Dave Mason Jr. there is another battle he hopes to have a part in winning, the fight against cancer. Dave Jr. has vowed to donate all of his race winnings from this event to Racing 2 Cure, a non-profit organization that supports families dealing with the hardships of cancer. Racing 2 Cure was inspired by Hunter Stewart and the Stewart family, who became close friends with the Mason's when Hunter Stewart was racing Trophy Karts along with Dave Mason Jr. The two families spent the racing weekends in the pits together and shared the ups and downs of Hunter and Dave Jr's races. During that time, Hunter's Mom (Alycia) was struck with breast cancer at just 34-years old.

That's when Hunter started raising awareness and funding through his racing. Since then the Stewart family has moved to race country USA-Mooresville, North Carolina and started Racing 2 Cure a 501c3 non-profit. Their goal is to raise funding for families in need while undergoing cancer treatments. Unfortunately Alycia [Stewart] was recently diagnosed a second time with breast cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. Dave Jr. had just spent last summer back in North Carolina going through a motorsports education camp and stayed at the Stewart's house. He was shocked and upset of the news that his friends family was back in the fight against the all too common disease. In addition, Dave Jr's Uncle, known best as "Captain Don" was recently diagnosed with cancer and he too is undergoing treatment.

"It just seems too common these days that people are getting cancer. It's made me realize it really can happen to anyone. Alycia is like a second Mom to me and my Uncle is a great guy who's always been so supportive of my racing," said Dave Jr. "We felt like if we could help through our racing it would be one small way to show our support. It certainly is going to give me a little extra motivation this weekend to get up front and finish on the podium."

"I feel good about Glen Helen and our chances," added Dave Jr. "We've been learning a lot this year about the car and I've been learning how to give better feedback to my team. We get better every time we go out on the track. I'm really looking forward to Glen Helen. There is so much history there. Hopefully we can add to that history with a top finish."

Rounds 9 & 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Glen Helen Raceway will feature two full evenings of electrifying two and four wheel drive short course off road racing action. For a complete schedule and more information, please visit: www.LucasOilOffRoad.com

Racing 2 Cure began as a simple act of then 7-year old Hunter Stewart. Hunter was starting his off-road racing career when he received troubling news just a few weeks before his first ever race. His Mom at just 34 years old was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. In order to maintain a positive focus, the family decided to continue Hunter's racing. Inspired to take action Hunter began to donate a portion of his allowance for every race lap he completed. He also re-designed his race truck to carry the Susan G. Komen for the Cure logo. This one-race effort inspired others to take action. Hunter's story was largely covered by the media and recognized by public officials, including a guest appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. The Stewart family formalized Racing 2 Cure into a 501c3 Non-Profit organization registered in the State of North Carolina. Through their interactive racing themed mobile event display R2C raises funding to provide for families in need who are fighting cancer, children who have lost a parent to cancer and children battling cancer. In addition funds support Susan G. Komen for the Cure's promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

-source: gmPR/mi