Racing for a Cause
Jeffrey Stull loves auto racing and has a cause very close to his heart. For him, getting involved in Lernerville Speedway’s Autism Awareness Night was a no-brainer.
Stull and his wife, Jill, are residents of Saxonburg. Their youngest son, now 16, was diagnosed with autism when he was 2.
While Lernerville has previously hosted several autism awareness nights, this year’s event, scheduled Friday will feature a longer race, bigger payout and a Chinese Auction.
The super late model race will be 50 laps, with the winner taking home $10,000 and the total purse will be $17,000. Every dollar raised from the Chinese Auction will be given to the Autism Society of Pittsburgh to, as Stull put it: “Distribute as needed.
“I approached local businesses and they donated money to increase the amount going to the winner of the race,” he added. “The idea is that a bigger payout will bring in more drivers and more fans. Some people may ask why I just did not take the $17,000 and donate it directly to the Autism Society. I could have done that and I’m sure it would have helped, but how many fans are going to be at the track on Friday, maybe a thousand? That’s 1,000 more people who will be made aware of autism. It’s an illness and people need to understand that. It’s very important that it’s caught at an early age.”
The Chinese Auction will include autographed racing memorabilia, gift cards to local restaurants, hunting equipment, tickets to Lernerville’s Commonwealth Clash sprint race in September and a ticket good for a one-on-one talk with NASCAR champion Kyle Larson.
“Some businesses gave straight donations to the cause,” Stull said. “That, combined with money raised from the auction, will hopefully add up to about $20,000. We’re just getting our feet wet with this. If it goes well, we’re hoping to hold it again.”
Free Autism Awareness T-shirts will be given out at the gate while supplies last.
“There were a few years when he was younger when he ate nothing but dry cereal,” Stull said of his son. “He didn’t want to talk, let other people talk for him. We are fortunate, though, because he now shows no signs of being autistic thanks to the treatment he received. I know there are people and families out there who have it a lot worse than we do.
“This is not about us. This is about bringing awareness to autism.”
Friday’s racing card will also include sprint, modified and pro stock races.
