Special Decal Brings Awareness for Month of April

When you think of the month April, you usually think spring, bright colors and one month until the biggest race of the year. Though the month of April is particularly symbolic to Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Rookie Dean Stoneman as April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. Andretti Autosport is working with Stoneman, a testicular cancer survivor to spread the awareness of the disease.

Stoneman, along with his six Indy Lights and IndyCar teammates will run a special awareness ribbon decal on their racing machines for the events during the month of April. An orchid-color ribbon, symbolizing testicular cancer, will ride along with each driver during the races in Phoenix, Long Beach and Barber.

In 2011, at the age of 20, the now 25-year-old rookie was diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of testicular cancer. The cancer was already in the late stages and his life was in danger. Stoneman had to halt his auto racing career for a couple years and focus on winning the biggest race of his life. He did just that. After months of treatment and four operations, the UK-native couldn’t handle being away from a race car any longer. In 2013, Stoneman returned to racing competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, FIA GP3 and the World Series by Renault. This year he decided to move his skills across the pond and give the American racing circuit a try.

“It’s great to have the cars running with the orchid ribbon this month. It will join the Wessex Cancer Trust logo I carry all season on the nose of my car as a Youth Ambassador. Testicular cancer is a merciless illness and we must do everything possible to help those battling with it and help prevent it from effecting more young men. I survived advanced testicular cancer and I urge all men to self-check and waste no time in visiting their doctor if they have even the slightest concern, it could save your life. Hopefully me racing will be an inspiration for those going through treatment and serve as a reminder to all men to get checked.”

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires and the Verizon IndyCar Series compete Saturday, April 2 at Phoenix International Raceway. The Indy Lights race will go green at 4:30 p.m. EST and will be aired on NBC Sports Network April 6 at 2 a.m. EST. The Indy cars will hit the track with a live broadcast also on NBC Sports Network at 8:30 p.m. EST.