<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/AMANDA11.jpg" alt="AMANDA11" align="right"borders="0"/>
JOLIET, Ill. (June 7, 2008) - Amanda Groeller, an 18-year-old cancer survivor from Des Plaines, Ill., was a special guest today of Jack Beckman, driver of the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
Groeller, who just graduated from high school and plans to go to college to study psychology, was attending her first drag race and had the opportunity to be up-close-and-personal on the starting line when Beckman, also a cancer survivor, made his first qualifying run. She attended the races with her father Dave and sister Brynn.
She was thrilled after standing between two 8000-horsepower Funny Cars as they launched off the starting line. "It was amazing," said an enthusiastic Groeller. "Just the power of it was overwhelming. I shook and it took over my entire body. It was so cool and way different than anything I've ever experienced. I knew that it was going to be loud, but I didn't think it would take over my senses."
Diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, when she was 17, Groeller had her leg amputated last July. Her father's friend, Dick McGuire, graduated from Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School several years ago, where Jack Beckman served as his instructor. He recommended that they contact Beckman about going to the races. Amanda's father contacted the Don Schumacher Racing team and she was given the full VIP treatment today at Route 66 Raceway, outside of Chicago.
"I'm hooked on drag racing now," added Groeller," I'm going to attend the races whenever I can."
“I could tell she really was enjoying herself,” said Beckman, who regularly visits schools and hospitals and donates his time to speak to students and other cancer survivors. “It’s a pleasure for me to be a part of this unique experience for Amanda.”
CANCER SURVIVOR AMANDA GROELLER ENJOYS A DAY AT THE RACES WITH JACK BECKMAN
JOLIET, Ill. (June 7, 2008) - Amanda Groeller, an 18-year-old cancer survivor from Des Plaines, Ill., was a special guest today of Jack Beckman, driver of the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
Groeller, who just graduated from high school and plans to go to college to study psychology, was attending her first drag race and had the opportunity to be up-close-and-personal on the starting line when Beckman, also a cancer survivor, made his first qualifying run. She attended the races with her father Dave and sister Brynn.
She was thrilled after standing between two 8000-horsepower Funny Cars as they launched off the starting line. "It was amazing," said an enthusiastic Groeller. "Just the power of it was overwhelming. I shook and it took over my entire body. It was so cool and way different than anything I've ever experienced. I knew that it was going to be loud, but I didn't think it would take over my senses."
Diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, when she was 17, Groeller had her leg amputated last July. Her father's friend, Dick McGuire, graduated from Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School several years ago, where Jack Beckman served as his instructor. He recommended that they contact Beckman about going to the races. Amanda's father contacted the Don Schumacher Racing team and she was given the full VIP treatment today at Route 66 Raceway, outside of Chicago.
"I'm hooked on drag racing now," added Groeller," I'm going to attend the races whenever I can."
“I could tell she really was enjoying herself,” said Beckman, who regularly visits schools and hospitals and donates his time to speak to students and other cancer survivors. “It’s a pleasure for me to be a part of this unique experience for Amanda.”
