STATESVILLE, N.C. - Elliott Sadler and the No. 19 Stanley Dodge are anticipating a strong showing on Mothers Day weekend at Darlington Raceway - a weekend that has becoming increasingly important to Sadler over the last two seasons. Sadler's mother, Bell, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2007 and has since fought the disease into remission, which serves as a source of inspiration for the 34 year old Virginian.
 

Sadler Quotes

ON MOTHERS DAY: "With all that has happened over the last two years Mother's Day has certainly taken on a more significant meaning to me personally. My mom is my rock and has been ever since I was born. She is the one that I can turn to for advice, support or even to guide me along when things are going so well. She takes care of the family and makes sure that everything is heading in the right direction. Even most of my friends call her Mama Bell. So when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 it really shook things up. I wanted to be able to return the support that she has given me for the last 34 years.

"Ray Evenham at the time, and later the Gillett family, were really supportive when she was diagnosed and through all of her treatments - so much so that they allowed me to move back to Emporia, Virginia to be closer to family and help out when things got rough. That is something that I appreciate to this day. It really helped me personally deal with the situation and be there to help out with both my Mom and Dad. Thankfully things are better now. She is now in remission and able to come out to the racetrack to watch races and participate with all of the other mothers at Darlington. Mother's Day was important to me before, but it has definitely taken on greater meaning now."
 

Additional Notes of Interest

• Vote Elliott Sadler into the All-Star Race at www.nascar.com

• Sadler's has started in the top-10 in seven of the last eight races at Darlington Raceway, and 10 of 16 times in his career.  He won the pole position for the 2003 spring race and has three top-five starts.  His average starting position is 11th .

• In 16 career starts at Darlington Raceway, Sadler has two top-five (spring 2002 and spring 2004) and four top-10 finish and has led a lap 13 laps with no DNFs.

• Sadler celebrated his 34th birthday on April 30.

• Chassis No. 274 will serve as the primary.  No. 274 last raced to a 20th-place finish in Atlanta.  No. 259 will serve as the backup for the sixth time this season (California, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Bristol and Texas).

• Sadler's Autism Awareness helmet went up for auction at www.sadlerfoundation.org at 8 a.m. on April 30.  The auction will close on May 19.  All proceeds from the auction will go to benefit autism related charities.

• Sadler's Autism Awareness helmets worn the past two years have raised a total of $13,567 through online auctions hosted by the Hermie and Elliott Sadler Foundation's Web site. ($6,900 - 2008, $6667 - 2007)
   

Race Information
Darlington Raceway
Date: May 9
Distance: 500 miles
Laps: 367 laps
Race No.: 11 of 36

Television Schedule
Friday
Practice 1 11:30 p.m. SPEED
Practice 2 1:30 p.m. SPEED
Qualifying 5:30 p.m. SPEED
Saturday
Race: 7:00 p.m.
TV: FOX
Radio: MRN