Support Lee Arnold's Autism Awareness Car

Very scary to witness your hubs in his first pretty serious, from my perspective, racing accident! 1. It’s racing, and yes, I prepare myself knowing it can happen! 2. The safety measures that have been put in place kept our guys fairly safe and unscathed. 3. Cars can be replaced; these guys can’t be. 4. It could have been way, way worse. 

Since joining Area 51, we are a racing family. These guys work tirelessly on these cars.

Lee Arnold personally worked almost 100% of his days off-hours to make this car better during the off-season. After I knew he was okay, my heart was broken for him. He loves racing because he just does, and it brings him closer to his dad. Jeff and Lee had an unspoken bond when it came to racing. Lee drives the 56 in honor of his dad. Since I met Lee, I knew he wanted to get back into racing, and Brent Devoti and Area 51 gave him an opportunity of a lifetime. Brent Devoti, Veronica Lopez Devoti, Doug Gibson, Megan Gibson, and Robert Burns welcomed us with open arms into the racing family. Arnold Family Racing is a dream that was finally alive after so many years. It may take me a minute, but taking the joy and passion out of someone you love is not something I can or will be responsible for. If the dream came to fruition 1x Pac-Man, 2x Pac-Man Plan B - 3rd time might be a charm.

The joy on so many kids' faces coming up to us during the infield Meet and Greet is so exciting to see. Parents who have children with autism, or even someone who knows someone or has a relative with autism, hearing their stories, seeing kids want to jump in the driver's seat. Just before the race, I was telling stories of all the handprints of our daughters and mine on the back! Little kiddos trying to match their tiny hands to the softly painted prints. This car brought so much joy to all of us - especially Riley, our neurodivergent kiddo who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3! We also have other friends and family on the spectrum. Riley’s prints - the many puzzle pieces that were hand-painted in honor of her and everyone who knows anyone with autism.

This was not just a car but a masterpiece. Maybe it’s fixable - it did start, but if not, my dream is for my husband to be happy. We don’t know what the future holds or when PTSD might show up and slow down the pace. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to just go out and buy a new car/fix it, etc. at the moment. But that’s okay; it would be more expensive to lose/fix and/or replace my husband!

Thankfully, Doug and Lee walked away from this!

Lee would love to find some way to rebuild or start a 3.0 Autism Awareness car! Once the goal is reached of 3500, we will do what we can to ensure that any proceeds will be distributed to an Autism Foundation/Charity.

Please help Lee in rebuilding his dream and help with spreading Autism Awareness!

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