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It’s no secret that NASCAR fans are also country music fans. The two go hand in hand. It was also the perfect way for country music’s Mark Collie to spread his message on the perils and dangers faced each day by diabetics.

Being diagnosed with diabetes in 1977 didn’t stop Mark Collie from pursuing his dream to become one of country music’s top recording artists. With his roots in Waynesboro, Tennessee and inspired by Leon Russell's country album, Hank Wilson Is Back, he first achieved success as a songwriter, churning out hits for Randy Travis, Collin Raye, and Martina McBride. Soon after, Mark Collie began singing his own songs. His first two albums, Hardin County Line and Born And Raised In Black And White won critical acclaim. His self-titled third album, Mark Collie, produced two Top 5 singles Even The Man in The Moon Is Cryin' and "Born To Love You".

Through success, determination and the philosophy of no limits, Mark Collie set up the Mark Collie Foundation to bring awareness to the public about diabetes, the third-leading killer among diseases in the nation. The Foundation was also established to provide financial support exclusively for diabetes research. In 1994, Mark Collie brought country music and racing together for this worthy cause with "The Mark Collie Celebrity Race for Diabetes Cure". The benefit, held each October at Nashville Speedway, brings together some of today’s top country music artists and NASCAR drivers to raise money for diabetes research. Such celebrities on hand last year for the event were country music stars Brooks & Dunn, Peter Cetera, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Winston Cup drivers Kyle Petty, Bobby Hamilton and Bill Elliott. Loretta Lynn, serves as celebrity spokesperson for the event.

In only four years, 1.5 million dollars has been raised and grants distributed to various diabetic research organizations, with the principal beneficiary being the Vanderbilt University Diabetes Research Center.