Wood Brothers Racing will forgo its iconic red and white color scheme and gold numbers to put focus on mental health and suicide prevention.
In collaboration with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Matt DiBenedetto will adorn a brand new scheme with the Suicide Prevention Hotline on the hood of his No. 21 Mustang for Las Vegas.
“Mental health is equally as important as physical health, which is why the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team and Wood Brothers Racing have decided to raise awareness for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and its services,” said Jon Orth, Marketing Manager for Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD). “Personally, I lost a close friend to suicide earlier this year, and the more I think and talk about it, the more I wish I could have identified warning signs. Motorcraft and Wood Brothers Racing are working together to use our platform in NASCAR to educate the public with existing resources available to respond to family and friends who may be confronted with mental health concerns.”
September is a big month for @NASCAR. It’s also #SuicidePreventionMonth. Everyone has been touched by mental illness and there’s no reason we can’t talk about it. We’ll be running this scheme for the Vegas race. #BeThe1ToHelp and read more here: https://t.co/jeCw3sUQZe pic.twitter.com/rqbADSsblh
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) September 7, 2021
“For every person who dies by suicide annually, there are another 316 people who have thought seriously about suicide who don’t kill themselves. These stories remind us that help, hope, and healing are happening every day,” said Dr. John Draper, Executive Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “We’re grateful to be working with Ford, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing, and Wood Brothers Racing to highlight the resources that are available if you or a loved one are struggling.”
The scheme will feature green as the only color dominantly featured on the car, with the Ford and Motorcraft logo losing its color to help draw more eyes to the bright green of the Lifeline’s logo.
“It’s an honor not only to be driving this racecar and paint scheme but also to be a part of something so much bigger than just the race,” DiBenedetto said in a media release. “I have people very close to me who have struggled with mental health and loved ones who have contemplated taking their own lives. My faith has shown me the beauty of life, and I am so excited to partner with Motorcraft/Quick Lane and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for an incredible cause that’s close to our hearts.”
In addition, Wood Brothers Racing will offer a signed diecast of the paint scheme, with 20% of the net proceeds from each diecast purchased through the team being donated to the Lifeline.
“Our family is proud to support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline because we feel strongly about the importance of addressing mental health,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing. “We have a duty to our family, friends, and colleagues to ask, ‘how are you doing today?’ Then we have to really listen and respond to the answer.”
Fans can see the No. 21 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Mustang hit the track on Sunday, September 26th at 7:00 p.m. EST on NBCSN.
