News Director 
Story By: JENNIFER HOOPINGARNER / LILLY DIABETES – DAYTONA BEACH, FL – NASCAR and Lilly Diabetes announced Friday that Lilly is expanding its involvement in NASCAR with a multi-year official partnership with the sanctioning body. The new collaboration designates Lilly Diabetes as the “Official Diabetes Health Partner of NASCAR.”
The partnership with Lilly Diabetes builds upon its primary sponsorship of the No. 16 Ford Mustang driven by Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Reed, who last weekend won his second career NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Additionally, as a part of this new partnership, Lilly Diabetes will work with NASCAR on multiple health and wellness initiatives, including launching an editorial series on NASCAR.com.
“As a leader in diabetes care for more than 90 years, we understand the daily challenges that millions of Americans face managing this disease,” said Mike Mason, vice president, U.S., Lilly Diabetes. “Our partnership with NASCAR, along with our continued relationship with Ryan, emphasizes the critical role of ongoing discussions with your doctor about how to best manage the disease.”
As the Official Diabetes Health Partner of NASCAR, Lilly Diabetes – part of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) – will expand its presence in the sport by introducing initiatives that educate fans about the disease. Lilly encourages fans to stay determined and take action to better manage their diabetes by talking to their doctor and making lifestyle changes like exercising and eating healthy. Approximately 30 million Americans have diabetes, and if current trends continue, 1 in 3 U.S. adults will develop diabetes by 20501, making this partnership particularly important.
“The goal of Lilly Diabetes – driving awareness and education – is critical to NASCAR as many of our fans are affected by the disease,” said Lou Garate, NASCAR vice president of partnership marketing. “The rate of Americans developing diabetes continues to rise, and we hope this partnership can help make a positive change in people’s lives.”
Lilly Diabetes has played a significant role in the NASCAR community since 2013, when it first sponsored Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed and his No. 16 Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. Ryan has type 1 diabetes and, through his work with Lilly, travels the NASCAR circuit raising awareness about the disease and encouraging fans to take action to better manage their diabetes.
“Our program with Lilly Diabetes is one that touches my life in a significant way, being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 17,” said Reed. “I have seen the positive effect our partnership with Lilly Diabetes has had on those impacted by this disease, and I can’t wait to see what NASCAR and Lilly can accomplish together.”
Everyone’s journey with diabetes is different, requiring ongoing, rigorous management that can often be a burden for people with the disease. Through the sponsorship of Reed, and now the partnership with NASCAR, Lilly Diabetes wants to help fans see how small changes can add up to big wins in diabetes management, both on and off the track. Visit www.LillyDiabetes.com/drive today to learn more about Lilly Diabetes and find helpful resources.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series season will continue with the Rinnai 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
