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Sutton Reflects Upon Rookie Season
in NCTS
Overcoming odds as first known driver living
with MS in a NASCAR Series
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (December 13, 2004) — The NASCAR Craftsman Truck
Series (NCTS) saw no shortage of veteran talent in 2004, with the return
of several past champions and an assortment of Busch and Nextel Cup drivers
in more than 20 races. The addition of a fourth manufacturer also made
each team step it up a few notches. Despite those challenges, Kelly "Girl"
Sutton raced to seven top 25 finishes, and posted a career-best qualifying
run of 14th at Las Vegas in September, improving her previous best start
of 20th set the preceding weekend.
"When you're new to the series, you have a lot to learn about the
trucks, the tracks, and your competitors. There are a lot of skilled drivers
in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and several have helped me learn
and grow as a driver," Sutton recalled. "Dennis (Setzer), for
one, shared examples of what to do, and what not to do, at some of the
trickier tracks. Those tips made a huge difference when I was accelerating
out of a turn at over 100 mph."
For Sutton, however, success in 2004 was not measured solely by her on-track
performance. Nearly 17 years after being diagnosed with relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis (RRMS), she continued to share her personal story with
others living with MS in nearly every city she visited. The third-generation
driver and 33-year old mom stressed the importance of making proactive
choices for managing the disease during educational programs available
to all living with MS in each race city, as well as autograph sessions
and track appearances.
"It really concerns me that almost half of the people living with
MS are not taking one of the approved therapies," Sutton would explain.
"My MS has been in remission for more than five years with COPAXONE®,
after two other therapies didn't work for me."
Although Sutton spent some time in a wheelchair, she was determined to
learn how to manage her disease and pursue her dream of racing. While
individual results may vary, she found herself back in the driver's seat
through a disciplined exercise regimen, a conscientious diet, and a daily
injection of COPAXONE® (glatiramer acetate injection). Sutton encourages
those living with MS to talk to their neurologist to find a therapy that
works for them.
Her positive attitude and proactive management of her disease helped Sutton
stay behind the wheel and add to her list of accomplishments. Included
in that list are track records for the best start by a female NCTS driver
at Las Vegas (14th), Loudon (20th t. Tami Jo Kirk), California (23rd),
Homestead (27th), and Gateway (30th t. Angie Wilson), and best finishes
by a female NCTS driver at Mansfield (20th), Gateway (21st), California
(25th), and Atlanta (32nd). With a full season of experience under her
belt, Sutton and the team have begun the months of preparation for the
start of the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
Leaning on Science
The FDA has approved drugs, such as COPAXONE®, which Sutton takes.
Current data suggests COPAXONE® is a selective MHC class II modulator.
COPAXONE® is indicated for the reduction of the frequency of relapses
in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
"With COPAXONE®, diet, and exercise, I am able to manage my disease,
and I'm able to get out here and drive," says Sutton.
The most common side effects of COPAXONE® are redness, pain, swelling,
itching, or a lump at the site of injection, flushing, chest pain, weakness,
infection, pain, nausea, joint pain, anxiety, and muscle stiffness. These
reactions are usually mild and seldom require professional treatment.
Patients should tell their doctor about any side effects.
Some patients report a short-term reaction right after injecting COPAXONE®.
This reaction can involve flushing (feeling of warmth and/or redness),
chest tightness or pain with heart palpitations, anxiety, and trouble
breathing. These symptoms generally appear within minutes of an injection,
last about 15 minutes, and go away by themselves without further problems.
After injecting COPAXONE® (glatiramer acetate injection), patients
should call their doctor right away if they develop hives, skin rash with
irritation, dizziness, sweating, chest pain, trouble breathing, severe
pain at the injection site or other uncomfortable changes in their general
health. Patients should not give themselves any more injections until
their doctor tells them to begin again.
Teva Neuroscience, Inc. markets COPAXONE®. COPAXONE® is a registered
trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Teva Neuroscience, Inc.
is a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
For more information on Kelly Sutton and her racing career, visit her
Web site at www.kellygirlsutton.com,
or for more information on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, visit www.nascar.com/series/truck.
Call 1-800-887-8100 or log onto www.copaxone.com
for more information about COPAXONE®, Team COPAXONE®,
or multiple sclerosis.
See additional important information at http://www.copaxone.com/pi/index.html
or call 1-800-887-8100 for electronic releases. For hardcopy releases,
please see enclosed full prescribing information.
Contact:
Jennifer Westphal
Fleishman-Hillard
(816) 512-2241
westphaj@fleishman.com
Keith Daw
Fleishman-Hillard
(816) 512-2285
dawk@fleishman.com
042713106/041676
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