Drag Illustrated Issue 136, September 2018 | Page 24

Dirt Brain Power D on Schumacher Racing made history recently when all seven driv- ers of the winningest NHRA drag racing team, along with team patri- arch and racing legend Don Schumacher, pledged to donate their brains to the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF). Schumacher and his roster of drivers signed the paperwork, making their commitment offi- cial. Over 3,500 former and current athletes and veterans have pledged to donate their brains for research since 2008, but DSR’s public declara- tion at Bandimere Speedway during the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals marked the first time an entire team has made the commitment. Schumacher and his cadre of drivers, who 24 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com experience intense vibrations, extreme g-forces and high-speed explosions behind the wheel of their 330 mph, 11,000-horsepower nitrometh- ane-burning race cars, will immediately begin a comprehensive brain monitoring process to ensure an in-depth brain profile upon donation. The signing event was part of CLF Project Enlist, a program launched in July by CLF and DSR partner Infinite Hero Foundation (IHF) to accelerate research on traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. IHF is a non-profit organiza- tion that combats the most difficult front-line issues – mental and physical – facing returning military heroes and their families. Through Project Enlist, CLF and IHF are conducting recruiting and outreach to the mili- tary and veteran communities to encourage participation in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs-Boston University-Concussion Legacy Foundation (VA-BU-CLF) Brain Bank brain donation registry. The VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank is the world’s largest CTE brain bank with sub- specialties in concussion, ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. When Schumacher heard about the program, he felt compelled to get involved and help raise awareness for Project Enlist. “Donating my brain for research to help other individuals in this world is something that I’m more than willing to do. It surprised my wife, Sarah, but she also agreed to me doing this based on its potential to help drivers, soldiers, business people and the population of the world,” said Don Schumacher, who is highly regarded as a pioneer for innovative performance and safety procedures throughout the racing industry. After hearing of his pledge, each of Schumach- er’s seven drivers – Jack Beckman, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Tommy Johnson Jr., Leah Pritchett and Tony Schumacher – followed suit, making the promise to donate their brains for the advancement of research on the effects of brain trauma in athletes and military veterans. “I support this foundation 100 percent and was thrilled that my seven drivers agreed to donate their brains to the Concussion Legacy Foundation,” added Schumacher, who was re- cently named to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Class of 2019. Schumacher hopes that his team’s public proc- lamation will help to remove the stigma associ- ated with traumatic brain injuries and inspire others to step forward and make the commitment to pledge their brains to science. Schumacher and the DSR drivers inked their commitments alongside more than a dozen military veterans, which included retired NAVY SEALS Jason Redman, Alexander Oliver, and Morgan Luttrell, who currently serves as Senior Advisor for Veterans Relations at the U.S. Depart- ment of Energy. IHF spokesperson and NHRA mainstay Gary Linfoot, former Marine Michael Wilson and more than 20 heads of veteran ser- vice organizations which have received funding by IHF also participated in the commemora- tive event. Issue 136 Schumacher, DSR drivers pledge to donate brains to concussion research By Allison McCormick