“This is the sport, where we can compete at an equal level. I could line up on the grid next to you, and I would never know. That was a cool perspective that I didn’t have coming into today,” two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano tells Torsten Gross, a race car driver and founder of the Just Hands Foundation, in a new video released by Pennzoil.
In honor of National Mobility Awareness Month, Logano and Pennzoil unveiled new original content, where Logano gets taught how to race with hand controls as Gross, a C6 quadriplegic does in his racing career.
“Collaborating with Pennzoil and Joey on this project showcases how innovation can remove barriers and empower individuals to compete at the highest levels of motorsports,” Gross said.
In the video, which was filmed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, Logano gets a chance to get behind the wheel of a hand control-equipped Ford Mustang race car. After a tutorial, and ride-along from Gross, Logano gets behind the wheel himself to give it a try.
Logano quickly finds out how challenging it is to convert to hand controls, as he has been conditioned to use his legs and feet to control the throttle and brake of his race car. But at the end of the day, Logano realizes that the hand controls allow those with mobility issues a path to compete at the highest level of motorsport.
“Working with Pennzoil extends beyond a sponsorship; it’s about the journey, pushing for the next mile, and celebrating the freedom of mobility,” said Logano in a press release. “Driving with a setup unlike any I’ve used before was initially outside of my comfort zone, but it became clear we are breaking barriers, and this is the type of experience that inspires drivers to dream bigger.”
At the end of the day, the video release from Pennzoil was multi-faceted. It showed off the technological advancement of hand controls in vehicles, while also showcasing the dedication to race craft for mobility-challenged racers like Gross. At the end of the day, mobility-impacted racers are on the same playing field as drivers that have the use of all of their limbs.
“We’re not only highlighting technological advancement; we’re sharing a story of unity, determination, and the relentless pursuit of driving by getting behind the wheel with Joey and Torsten,” stated Bree Sandlin, Vice President of Lubricants Marketing at Pennzoil. “I’m thrilled to be unveiling this content during National Mobility Awareness Month. Accessibility is a topic that is particularly close to my heart, and I hope our work with Joey and Torsten will help set the stage for a broader discussion on the essential nature of accessibility in motorsports and beyond.”
Motorsports are for everyone, and the new video series from Pennzoil really drives that point home.
