More Than Meets The Eyes

After a weekend at DALETONA and all the bull shizzit that went on, you know Gordo whining, Junebug and Smoke winning, and Carl getting hisself and his big teeth in trouble. I can't help but think of Kelly Sutton. That was a hard hit that young lady took, only sustaining a bruised arm and elbow. Possibly racing in the upcoming truck race. That is one tough cookie I thought. Then again ANY WOMAN that competes in that level of racing IS one tough beyotch(don't hate me hear me out ladies). So I figured I would find out some info about Ms. Kelly "Girl" Sutton. You know what SHE IS ONE TOUGH .......CHICK (you thought I would say beyotch didn't you?). Keep reading, she IS as tough as any man I can think of.

This 36 year old married mother of two has some serious credentials. Besides racing the 02 Sutton Cheverolet in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2002, she has raced The Goody's Dash Series from 2000-2001 part time then full-time in 2002, finishing third for Rookie Of The Year. In '98 she won a qualifying race in the Parts Pro Truck Series and the "Oral B" Close Brush Award. 1997 she made history by winning two races and three(Yeah BABY!!!) pole positions in the Penn. Regional Allison Legacy Series. Also becoming the first woman to win in the same series nationally(BTW, she only ran 4 national events hmmmmm.....). It was no wonder she won Most Popular Driver that year. She raced mini-stocks before that compiling up a bunch of different awards along the way. There is YOUIR histor-E lesson of Ms. Kelly's racing career. Oh I forgot one "little" other fact....keep reading.

Ms. Kelly is a third generation driver, so when she was around ten she started to get the itch of the family racing bug. Not too surprising, you could always find her around her fathers race car while growing up. After turning 16 Kelly started to feel funky. Overwhelming fatigue, numbness in the side and a funny tingling feeling kept at her. Diagnosis was relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. By the time she was twenty-five she was in a wheelchair. Between the family rallying around and making sure Kelly ate right and taking the regiment of prescribed medications by her doctors, they seem to have it under control. Only person in NASCAR histor-E to have MS and drive. Now I can say this with no hesitation and NO disrespect, Kelly is one tough beyotch. God bless ya Lady and have a speedy recovery.

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.
What is MS??? It is a disease that affects the central nervous system. MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensations, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, and difficulties with coordination and speech. Although many patients lead full and rewarding lives, MS can cause impaired mobility and disability in the more severe cases.

I hope this helps and enlightens a few people on "disabilities". If you ask Kelly, there are none. It shows you that you can do anything you want to do, it is all a matter of mind over matter. She IS an inspiration to ALL that are physically "challenged".