(DOVER,Del)- Not many experience the thrill of the Monster Mile.Sussex County resident Mark Flounlacker who is suffering from a spinal cord injury got that unique opportunity with some others on Thursday.
"When you hit these turns you are literally up against the wall and you up against the car. It is the most amazing feeling," said Flounlacker.
Furniture Row Racing and Dover International Speedway hosted the NeuroGroove Race Day. It is a program aligned with Falci Adaptive Biosystems and the U.S. Air Force Academy that showcases cutting-edge technology to maximize the impact of bringing mobility to paraplegic, quadriplegic and disabled individuals.
"It is important to know that the people that are first injured have their opportunity out there," said Flounlacker.
NASCAR point leader Martin Truex Jr. and Furniture Row Driver gave these individuals fast rides around the track.
"It is an honor to meet these guys and girls and see what they have been through, and teach them about a little more about cars," said Truex Jr.
Truex Jr. said the setup is now what he has been running all year in the series.
"Definitely different and it is something I'm not used to in NASCAR and it took a little getting used to that but all the guys from Furniture Row did a nice job putting this car together and making it a two-seater and making it fast enough to give them a thrill," said Truex Jr.
Dr. Scott Falic said the technology in the car is not advanced.It is just hand controls.
"Driving this car has adequate control of their arms and if they are a quadriplegic that has just weak hands and the other is paraplegic with a simple push-pull system with one hand and activates the accelerator and the brake and they steer with the other hand."So that is basic stuff that they are used to but we keep advancing that and eventually make it hands-free."
Falic said he hopes the Neurogroove Race Day is set up at every track on the NASCAR schedule.