David Ragan To Carry Colors Of Shriners Hospitals For Children

Statesville, NC – A special cause will be featured on the No. 34 Ford of David Ragan at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend. Ragan will be carrying the colors of Shriners Hospitals for Children® and their tagline, Love to the rescue™. Shriners Hospitals for Children® provides specialty care to children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. All care and services are delivered in a family-centered environment.

Ragan’s second-best qualifying of 2012 came earlier this season at New Hampshire, in which he started 19th before an engine issue forced the team to finish 33rd. The Georgia native holds six career top-25 finishes in eleven career starts at Loudon, including a career-best effort of 7th in last year’s fall race.

At the 2012 Imperial Session in Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR driver David Ragan was inducted into Shriners International fraternity as a member of Oasis Shriners.

In addition to Ragan’s racing achievements, he is a loyal supporter of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for Children®. Since naming the pediatric health care system his official charity of choice in 2008, he has used his popularity to increase awareness and raise funds for the organization. In addition, Ragan has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit several of the Shriners Hospitals and participate in public service announcements.

“I wanted to have a charity to work with while running Sprint Cup, wanted to pick a group that does something for Children that needs there help…. The Shriners are a group that a lot of people dont know much about,” the Unadilla, Georgia native said. “They provide for Children that need their help free of charge. They work hard to be a leader in the Medical field and they work with children till the age of 21…. It’s not a onetime procedure and you’re out.. they continue helping you for years.”

Gene Bracewell, Chairman Emeritus, Shriners Hospitals said, “David Ragan has helped us in so many ways. He has visited many Shriners Hospitals and has become a hero to the children. We are so pleased and grateful that Mr. Jenkins and David have donated the race sponsorship to help raise awareness for the hospitals.”

Speaking about the New Hampshire race, Ragan added, “New Hampshire is a big race and in a big market. They have a burn hospital in Boston, so it will be great for all the fans to see the car and learn more about the hospital. We had a good car here earlier in the year, before we lost the engine. I’m hoping we can show up with the same speed this weekend and put together another solid top-25 run and keep making progress in the point standings.”