Kelly Sutton and her Silverado
Kelly “Girl” Sutton is one of a kind. She is one of very few women, and the only person with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), known to race in NASCAR. Now in her second full season in the Goody’s Dash Series, a NASCAR Touring series, Sutton has established a reputation as a formidable competitor — finishing her rookie season third in rookie points and 12th overall, beating out 75 other drivers.
A third generation racecar driver, Sutton has racing in her blood. Even as a toddler, it was no surprise to find her under the hood of one of her father’s racecars. Her own racing career began at the early age of 10, progressing steadily for six years until it came to a screeching halt with Sutton’s diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1988.
Initial symptoms of tingling and numbness on her right side, combined with overwhelming fatigue were just the first indications something was wrong. By the time Sutton was 25, she found herself in a wheelchair. Her dreams of racing seemed to have slipped away.
But Sutton did not give up. Her family would not let her. Together they found the right balance of diet, exercise, and a daily injection of COPAXONE® (glatiramer acetate injection), that allowed Sutton to regain the life she had always wanted.
Today, in addition to driving at speeds of up to 160 miles per hour in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a Chevrolet Silverado, Sutton is a busy mother of two and an inspirational speaker. Away from the track, she travels across the United States, sharing her story with others living with MS. She is a testament to the power of attitude and determination.