(Undated) -- The winner of the NASCAR Cup race at the Iowa Speedway has made a $10,000 donation to the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa. Ryan Blaney's Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the Alzheimer's Association. Blaney lost his grandfather, race car driver Lou Blaney, to Alzheimer's in 2009.
"The Alzheimer's Association has been a part of our family since my grandfather’s diagnosis around 2005," Blaney said. "Their resources and support are beneficial to millions of people, and the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is honored to continue our partnership and support their mission."
The Blaney Family has many ties to not only dirt racing, but to Knoxville and Iowa, as a whole. Ryan Blaney’s mother, Lisa, is an Iowa native, and Ryan’s father, Dave, won the Knoxville Nationals in 1997. Ryan’s uncle, Dale, competed in the Knoxville Nationals multiple times throughout his career, and his grandfather, Lou, ran 4th in the Knoxville Nationals in 1974.
The donation and event coincided with Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. The Alzheimer's Association-Iowa says there are nearly 7 million people aged 65 and older in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including over 62,000 in Iowa. On top of that, there are 11 million family members and friends providing unpaid care to their loved ones living with the disease, including nearly 100,000 in Iowa.
Blaney's mother Lisa is an Iowa native. His father won the Knoxville Nationals in 1997. His uncle competed in the Knoxville Nationals multiple times, and grandfather Lou ran 4th in the Nationals in 1974.