MARTINSVILLE, Va. – "Oh, I was thrilled," Donna Collins said when asked about being invited to help paint the curbs around Martinsville Speedway pink.
Collins wanted to paint a portion of the curbs at Martinsville Speedway because it means getting to experience the track in a new way.
"I've always enjoyed racing and we go to most of the races," Collins said. "My dad used to bring me here to Martinsville when I was about 10 years old."
But, most importantly it means getting to work alongside NASCAR drivers to help raise awareness about the disease she's now been free of for one year.
"They've always been great guys," Collins said about the drivers.
Before the painting began, NASCAR drivers Ryan Newman and Kyle Larson talked about what being part of the event meant to them.
"I know you guys are cancer survivors, and we're both Talladega survivors," Newman said, pausing as the crowd gathered at the speedway laughed. "We're happy to be here, too, and do this with you. It really is an honor."
"It's my second or third time," Larson said. "I always have a lot of fun with it and look forward to this event. I've only gotten to do it by myself, so now having Ryan here, maybe we'll get a little side-by-side racing going on out there."
Race, they did. Sort of.
After the curb was painted, Newman and Larson took the survivors on some high-speed laps around the track.
This annual tradition has raised millions of dollars for cancer research.
Survivor Pat Frost called that incredible and says she is ready to see her paint job on TV next weekend.
"Yeah, I'm going to watch the race now," Frost said.
Chevy, which, along with the American Cancer Society, partners with the speedway for the event, will donate $350 to cancer research for every caution lap during the First Data 500.