Racer Marc Miller Uses Daytona Race to Help Local Autism Society Chapter

Holland, MI. (Jan. 16). Beginning January 22nd, the 2014 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season will be underway at Daytona International Speedway. Michigan native Marc Miller will return for this third year with CJ Wilson Racing, alongside co-driver Tyler McQuarrie in the #3 Mazda MX-5.

“I’m extremely excited for the team to have Marc Miller back with CJWR for more success in 2014,” said Team Owner, CJ Wilson.  “Marc is a big part of our organization and after winning us our first few Grand-Am races we expect big things from him again this season and beyond!”

“CJ Wilson Racing has come a very long way over the years,” said Miller. “We have improved in increments at a controlled rate. Now in our third year with the Mazda MX-5, I think we are getting close to getting the most out of the car, so organization and communication become key ingredients to win races in addition to the pace of the cars. The Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge is likely the most competitive series in North America. At any given time there are 10-15 cars that could win a race, so the competition is very tight.”

To date, there are 64 cars on the entry list for the 2.5 hour season opening race on Friday, January 24th. Throughout the event, Miller will again use his motorsports career for charitable efforts, donating a VIP package for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona race weekend to the Autism Society of West Shore (ASWS) in Spring Lake Michigan.

In 2006, Marc’s oldest son, Evan, was diagnosed with autism at the young age of two years old. With the help of his local region’s Autism Society, Marc was able to get involved in an early intervention program.

Today, Evan participates in regular third grade classes while Marc is heavily involved in raising awareness for his local chapter, ASWS. Auction winners Rodney and Tina of Grand Haven will receive passes to the event, access to team hospitality, Mazda parade lap rides, paddock tours, a pit-crew experience and have the opportunity to meet the drivers and team owner and professional baseball player, CJ Wilson.

The 2.5 hour season-opening race of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will take place Friday, January 24th, with 64 cars and 128 drivers on the current entry list.For more
information, visit IMSA.com and themarcmillershow.com.

Quotes

Marc Miller: “When Evan was first diagnosed, I felt completely lost. There were a million questions and no strength to find answers, but thankfully our family was blessed with local organizations like ASWS that offered support. Whether it was emotional support and other parents sharing their ups and downs or financial support provided to families to help with much-needed therapies for their children. I liked that ASWS distributed their funds as well, devoting it to scholarships and programs that really helped.”

Linda Elenbaas, Executive Chair ASWS: “The Autism Society of West Shore is a chapter of the Autism Society of America operating in west Michigan. Marc Miller is a member who is an avid supporter of the mission: to advocate and support meaningful participation in all aspects of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families in West Michigan. The Autism Society of West Shore has many initiatives to enhance individual and family life by providing safety programs, a bi-monthly newsletter, speaker and training series, community events and a scholarship program. Annually the Autism Society of West Shore gives over $20,000 in family scholarships. Marc Miller has supported the scholarship program through his own fundraising efforts and through CJ Wilson race packages that the Autism Society of West Shore auctions off at its annual fundraiser. As a father of a child on the Autism Spectrum, Marc is familiar with the out of pocket cost to families for uninsured therapies, equipment, tutors, supplements, medications and counseling to support the needs of a child with Autism. Over the last two years through the CJ Wilson race packages and his support Marc has contributed nearly $7,000 to the scholarship program. It is supporters such as Marc and the CJ Wilson team that help The Autism Society of West Shore serve and support children and families living with the impact of Autism.”

To learn more about the Autism Society of West Shore visit www.asws.org.