Limited-edition Daniel Dye signed photo from Daytona, carrying the message of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to race tracks across the country.
This is 988 on the track. Hundreds of people
standing together at Daytona International
Speedway to send one message:
Help is always within reach.
Now, we’re taking that message nationwide.
Limited-edition Daniel Dye signed photo from Daytona, carrying the message of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to race tracks across the country.
SEPT. 26 · KANSAS SPEEDWAY · NASCAR TRUCK SERIES PLAYOFFS
Race to Stop Suicide — the suicide-prevention nonprofit co-founded by Daniel and Randy Dye — is the entitlement partner of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff race at Kansas Speedway, now the Race to Stop Suicide 200. Founded in 2018, the organization uses the platform of professional motorsports to normalize conversations around mental health, reduce stigma, and connect people with life-saving resources.
“We believe awareness leads to action, and action saves lives. This brings the message to one of the biggest stages in motorsports — a reminder that hope is available and help is within reach.”
“Normalize the Conversation”
“Fuel the Change”
“Collaborative Partnerships”
“Join the Team. Drive the Change”
By requesting a racetrack banner, you’re joining a growing community of supporters who are taking a stand against the stigma surrounding mental health. Together, we can create safer, more supportive environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and cared for. Take the opportunity to make a difference—request your banner today and help us continue the race to stop suicide.
Join us in our Race to Stop Suicide and subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter. You’ll receive updates, ways to support each other, heartwarming stories, valuable mental health resources, how this cause connects many of us, and gratitude for our valuable Race to Stop Suicide Team Members (soon to be you)! We know our cause is bigger than us, that’s why you’re so important!
Are you ready to join our movement in the Race To Stop Suicide?
Let’s work together to normalize the conversation.
Randy Dye is the owner of Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM, and Maserati Alfa Romeo of Daytona which employs more than 100 people from our community. A former race car driver himself, he is the current owner of Daniel Dye Racing where his son Daniel drives in NASCAR
Daniel Dye, 22, from Daytona Beach, Florida, started his racing career at just 8 years old in quarter midgets. Daniel has steadily climbed the ranks of motorsports. Stay updated by following his social media channels or visiting danieldyeracing.com.
Engage the person at risk in a personable way, use eye contact, give your full attention, don’t act distracted.
Explore their situation from his or her point of view by encouraging the open expression of their personal concerns. Show that you want to understand their feelings.
If the person is indeed contemplating suicide, you need to inquire into the reasons why these events and feelings are leading to a consideration of suicide at this time. Why now?
Use closed questions that require a yes/no answer. Be specific. Your assessment is a combination of gut feelings and risk factors you have learned about.
Race to Stop Suicide was established in 2018. A meeting with Halifax Health on another topic spawned this initiative.
Certainly, at the time this effort was established, there was a tremendous need. However, with the effects of Covid-19 and the isolation we have all experienced, mental health issues have reached epidemic proportions. Unfortunately, the demographic is massive. From the youngest recorded Suicide at the age of 6 years old to the most senior of our world. Those in school to those in the military. Professionals at all levels. The entertainment industry and professional sports. In other words, it affects us all.
Call 911 for all emergencies
If someone you know is expressing suicidal thoughts, it is important to take them seriously and seek professional help as soon as possible. Suicide is often the result of untreated mental illness, and most people who die by suicide do not actually want to die; they just want the pain to stop. If you are worried about someone you know, there are several things you can do to help. First, try to have an open and honest conversation with the person about their thoughts and feelings. Second, offer your support and let them know that you are there for them. Finally, encourage them to seek professional help, either through therapy or a crisis hotline. Text or Dial 988 right away!
We have chosen to use the professional racing platform to deliver our message because it is unique and its massive television and social media audience. Specifically NASCAR. Again it is the most recognized racing organization in our country and arguably the world. Our efforts include establishing Race to Stop Suicide as a nationally trademarked organization. This helps us deliver a consistent message.
We are not mental healthcare professionals, but our initiative does include three pillars. First, create awareness through the normalization of the conversation. In other words, make it ok to talk about. Second, provide an entry-level amount of education. What to look for, symptoms, and simply a plan to check in and check up on people you suspect to be at risk. Additionally, to make it a bit easier to identify those at risk. And Third, to make sure those in need have access to resources.
Congress recently opened a new 3-digit number to help those with a mental health emergency. July 16 of 2022 saw the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline. This number connects to a mental health professional to help those in need speak with someone trained to deal with mental health issues. We experienced almost 40,000 interactions on social media alone on the July 16 weekend.
In addition to using the NASCAR platform, we do numerous other things to get our message across. Daniel is the most recognized spokesperson for Race to Stop Suicide. Daniel has done speaking engagements for middle schools, fraternal organizations like the Elks club, and numerous veterans organizations. He has spoken at Boys and Girls clubs and various television and social media interviews. In addition, he has done several PSA radio commercials and television spots.
Additionally, Daytona State College Foundation produced a five-episode TV series titled The Race to Stop Suicide. This series reached an estimated 6.3 million households, with Daniel as the featured spokesperson. And there are plans for a second series. Our partners are passionate about this effort. One of our race partners owns a company with 154 eighteen-wheelers. They travel from Virginia to Massachusetts. Over 80% of the fleet carries the Race to Stop Suicide on the back of the trucks along with the emergency number 988.
