• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 8, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Ryan Reed and Lilly Diabetes: Racing for a Cause

Ryan Reed, driver of the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Powershares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Reed, who races with diabetes, captured his second Daytona victory on February 25, 2017. Photo via upi.com

Ryan Reed, driver of the №16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Powershares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Reed, who races with diabetes, captured his second Daytona victory on February 25, 2017. Photo via upi.com

Ryan Reed recently won his second NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona, but to understand how he got to this point, you have to know more about Ryan Reed, the person, not just the race car driver.

Backtrack six years to 2011. Reed, a California native, is getting ready to move to foreign lands, otherwise known as Charlotte, North Carolina, a hub of NASCAR racing. Beforehand, Reed heads to his doctor to have some symptoms checked — among them weight loss and fatigue.

In the doctor’s office that fateful day, Reed received a life-changing diagnosis. He had type 1 diabetes. Hearing that he’d never race again was crushing, but Reed was not one to give up easily. Instead, he was determined to find a way to chase his dream. After all, racing had been in his blood since age four.

Want more great content like this? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!

Reed used his no-quit attitude to his advantage and, according to Tracy Neithercott, sought out Dr. Anne Peters of the University of Southern California. Peters told Reed what he wanted to hear: he could race. However, it would require effort, dedication, and change.

For starters, Reed had to follow a strict insulin management program. Additionally, he uses a CGM, Continuous Glucose Monitor, which does exactly as it sounds: monitors his glucose levels. Reed also exercises daily and follows a strict diet. Both things give him the best chance to continue to race, following his boyhood dream.

“This sponsorship is another step forward in our drive to help more people who have the disease or care for someone who does.”

— Mike Mason, Lilly Diabetes Vice President

The aforementioned CGM is not a handheld device or attached to his fire suit. Rather, it’s attached to the dashboard of his №16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, just like his tachometer and water and oil pressure gauges.

If his glucose spikes during a race, he has options. First, he could drink a sugar, energy like drink. The second option involves an insulin injection. Reed can simply use his in-car radio to let his pit crew know he needs a shot of insulin. An opening in his fire suit allows a crew member easy access to give him the shot so that the team does not lose precious seconds on the racetrack.

Reed’s taken all the necessary steps to ensure his diabetes is managed on the race track. Not only is he getting results on the track, but his sponsor is unique to his condition.

Lilly Diabetes introduced the first commercial insulin in 1923 and remains one of the leading providers of diabetes care. Ninety years after introducing commercial insulin, Lilly began to sponsor Reed in 2013, when he entered a limited number of events in the XFINITY Series in the Roush Fenway Racing №16 Ford.

The partnership has continued since 2013 with Reed going to Gatorade Victory Lane two times in the XFINITY Series with Lilly Diabetes on the hood. Both times (2015 & 2017) were at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway, the biggest race of the season on the NASCAR circuit.

Last season, Reed advanced to the Round of Eight in the new XFINITY Series Chase (now called playoffs) and finished sixth in the final standings. In October 2016, Lilly announced a new, multi-year deal with Reed.

Both parties expressed excitement about the new partnership. Lilly Diabetes Vice President Mike Mason said, “This sponsorship is another step forward in our drive to help more people who have the disease or care for someone who does,” while Reed mentioned that together he and the company would “continue to share the message about diabetes awareness, specifically the importance of talking to doctors as well as proper nutrition and daily exercise.”

On Thursday, March 3rd, Lilly announced that it had expanded its partnership with NASCAR to become the Official Diabetes Health Partner of NASCAR. The company will not only continue its sponsor of Reed’s №16 Ford, but will now launch initiatives across NASCAR to educate fans on health and wellness initiatives, and facts about diabetes.

It’s the best of both worlds for Reed and the company. Reed has been able to continue to race and score two victories at Daytona International Speedway, while Lilly Diabetes has found a driver who identifies with their organization and has helped them expand their reach in NASCAR.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bristol Rain Pushes MLB’s Ambitious Speedway Game to Sunday

MLB will look to replay the postponed game on Sunday afternoon.
Bristol Motor Speedway

MLB’s Long Road to Its Most Unusual Game Yet

The special-event game features a unique blending of baseball and racing.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Loses Another Legal Battle

23XI Racing has lost its Cup Series charter status for the time being.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Sheryl Swoopes hosts a WBNA All-Star brunch in honor of her former teammate, Nikki McCray Penson, at Thea in Phoenix on July 19, 2024
May 12, 2025

Sheryl Swoopes: A’ja Wilson Shoe Campaign Shows Nike Sea Change

Nike released the Air Swoopes in 1995.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Pro Refs Get Offered Free Lasik for Better Calls. Some Took It

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
exclusive
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.