FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@drivetowardacure.org
RACING PIONEER LYN ST. JAMES TO JOIN DRIVE TOWARD A CURE® FOR ATLANTA’S “TAKE A DRIVE WITH KEVIN” WEEKEND
Seven-time Indianapolis 500 competitor and 1992 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year to headline November 13 gathering at Ferrari of Atlanta supporting Parkinson’s care and assistance..
Motorsports pioneer Lyn St. James, celebrating 50 years in racing, joins Drive Toward a Cure® on November 13 at Ferrari of Atlanta for an evening of exceptional cars, conversation, and community in support of people and families living with Parkinson’s disease.
Lyn St. James pushed the limits during 1993 Indy car qualifying, showcasing the determination and competitive spirit that helped define her trailblazing career in motorsports.
Grant Van Brewer, Atlanta automotive personality and host of the Caffeine and Octane podcast and the Ride Lounge’s Throttlecast, will moderate the November 13 evening with Drive Toward a Cure® at Ferrari of Atlanta, bringing together motorsports personalities, exceptional cars, and a community united in support of people and families living with Parkinson’s disease.
A tribute to Kevin Smith. A weekend of cars and camaraderie. A shared commitment to Parkinson’s. This commemorative door decal celebrates ‘Take a Drive with Kevin,’ November 13–14, 2026, presented by Drive Toward a Cure®. The weekend honors Kevin’s life and legacy through a special reception at Ferrari of Atlanta and a scenic drive and private automotive collection experience at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery. Together, participants will celebrate the automotive community while helping advance support for people and families living with Parkinson’s.
ATLANTA, GA — October 28, 2026 — Drive Toward a Cure will welcome legendary racer and motorsports pioneer Lyn St. James to Ferrari of Atlanta on Friday, November 13, for a special evening of automotive conversation, exceptional cars, and community in support of people and families living with Parkinson’s disease.
The Friday reception is part of national nonprofit Drive Toward a Cure’s November 13–14 “Take a Drive with Kevin” weekend, honoring the memory of Kevin Smith, a beloved automotive industry colleague and friend who lived with young-onset Parkinson’s disease. Proceeds benefit the organization’s Special Assistance Fund and Emory University’s Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program.
St. James joins the Friday evening program as a longtime friend of Drive Toward a Cure founder Deb Pollack and fellow motorsports broadcaster Bob Varsha, who is unable to attend due to a death in his family. The evening will bring together automotive enthusiasts and supporters for an intimate conversation celebrating the people, stories, and shared passions that make the car community so powerful.
“Lyn has been a friend for many years, and I’ve always admired not only what she has accomplished behind the wheel, but what she has given to motorsports beyond it. She has helped open doors for women, inspired generations, and demonstrated what it means to lead with purpose. Having her join us is especially meaningful because she embodies the very spirit of this community — people who share a passion for cars, value the friendships they’ve built, and step up to help one another when it matters most. That’s what this weekend honoring Kevin is all about, and it’s a beautiful reminder of the good this community can do when we come together.” — Deb Pollack, Founder, Drive Toward a Cure®
Celebrating 50 years in racing, St. James is a seven-time Indianapolis 500 competitor and the 1992 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. Her racing accomplishments include victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Her influence extends well beyond the track: she is co-founder and board member of Women in Motorsports North America, a former president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, and an inductee of the Automotive Hall of Fame and the 2026 IMSA Hall of Fame. She has also been named to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s Class of 2027.
“Motorsports has given me so much more than a place to compete — it has given me a community, lifelong friendships, and a family of enthusiasts who show up for one another when it matters most. That’s what makes Drive Toward a Cure so special. It brings together people who share a passion for cars and a genuine commitment to giving back, especially to those within their own community. Honoring Kevin Smith is a reminder that the bonds we build through motorsports extend far beyond the track, and that together, we can make a meaningful difference for people and families living with Parkinson’s.” — Lyn St. James
The gathering runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ferrari of Atlanta in Alpharetta, Georgia. Atlanta’s own Grant Van Brewer, host of the Caffeine and Octane podcast and the Ride Lounge’s Throttlecast, will moderate the evening.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to see two distinctive Italian sports cars: Ivan Ruiz’s 1961 Maserati 3500 GT and Federico Sceriffo’s Formula Drift Ferrari 599.
The program will feature Dr. Stewart Factor, DO, director of Emory University’s Jean and Paul Amos Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program, as well as Derek Torry, a Drive Toward a Cure board member living with young-onset Parkinson’s and a friend of Kevin’s. Together, they will share perspectives on the importance of supporting people and families affected by Parkinson’s in the Atlanta community.
Register for the weekend at www.drivetowardacure.org/day/kevin2026/
About Drive Toward a Cure®
Drive Toward a Cure® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that blends Cars and Camaraderie® to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease. Founded in 2016 in honor of Deb Pollack’s mother, the organization has raised more than $1.5 million to support research, patient care, educational outreach, and its Access to Care, Special Assistance, and Family Fund grant programs through distinctive automotive and lifestyle experiences nationwide.
Learn more at www.drivetowardacure.org.
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