ROCKINGHAM — Among the roar of the engines racing down Rockingham Dragway’s strip, one activity at the track could be lifesaving to a local man.
DKMS, an international stem cell donor center, is teaming up with the dragway to hold a blood stem cell registration drive in the hopes of benefiting Jason “Mex” Bennett during NC Speed Lab’s Civil Wars.
Bennett, 40, of Ellerbe, was recently diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome and is in need of a blood stem cell transplant, according to a press release.
“A blood stem cell transplant would allow Mex to get back to doing the things he loves like spending time outdoors, fishing and working hard,” the release reads.
Registration booths will be set up from noon-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday near the dragway’s ticket booth and are accessible to all regardless of ticket status.
The three-day Civil Wars drag racing event will feature competition in 14 classes.
The event will also include music — John Norris and Erik Hawks on Friday, and Ultimate Aldean and a Luke Bryan tribute concert on Saturday — followed by fireworks. Both concerts are scheduled to start around 8 p.m.
Hawks, a Rockingham native, opened for Bucky Covington at Rockingham’s SpringFest. Click here to see photos of Hawks’ performance.
Local vocalist Nikki Fletcher is also scheduled to sing the national anthem on Saturday. She performed the song earlier this season at the AHDRA Spring Nationals. Click here to see photos from that event.
