 Kelly
"Girl" Sutton
Her interview
HERE
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 #02 Team COPAXONE® Pontiac Sunbird,
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.
Sutton has big
plans to continue impacting NASCAR through her
speed, her drive, and her inspiration for many
years to come.
Personal Information
• Full Name: Kelly Renae Sutton
• Born: Sept. 24, 1971
• Family: Lives in Crownsville, Md., with
husband, Butch, and daughters, Ashlee and Nicole
• Hobbies: Cross-stitch, softball
Kelly Sutton and Multiple Sclerosis
• Diagnosed: Relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis, February 1988, age 16
• Initial Symptoms: Numbness on right side;
spinal tap and MRI revealed
multiple sclerosis
• Prognosis: The frequency of relapses have been
reduced with lifestyle changes and
drug therapy
Professional Career
• 2002 GOODY’S DASH SERIES, NASCAR TOURING
DIVISION
Competed in 14 races
Finished 12th in overall points
Most Popular Driver Award 2002
Finished third in Rookie of the Year standings
• 2001 GOODY’S DASH SERIES, NASCAR TOURING
DIVISION
Competed in six races, led laps in one race,
best finish 10th
• 2000 GOODY’S DASH SERIES, NASCAR TOURING
DIVISION
Competed in two races, best finish 16th
• 1998 PARTS PRO TRUCK SERIES
Won one qualifying race
Won Oral B Close Brush Award
• 1997 ALLISON NATIONAL LEGACY SERIES
First woman to win regionally or nationally
Finished 25th in national point standings
Competed in four races
• 1997 ALLISON LEGACY PENNSYLVANIA SERIES
Won two feature and three pole positions
Finished sixth in regional point standings
Won Most Popular Driver Award
• 1992–1994 OLD DOMINION SPEEDWAY/PRO MINI-STOCK
SERIES
Won seven feature races, 20 qualifiers, and five
pole positions
Average finish of fifth in final point standings
Most Popular Driver Award 1992, 1993, 1994
Metropolitan Auto Racing Fan Club of Maryland,
Delaware, and Virginia Award 1994
Sportsmanship Award 1992
Hard Charger Award 1992
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