Nascar – Trevor Bayne suffers from multiple sclerosis

Yesterday, a few days before the final rounds of the different championships Nascar on the Miami-Homestead oval, Trevor Bayne revealed that he suffered from multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune neurological disease of the central nervous system. This is the result resulting from the battery of tests he took last summer. By making this news official, the young 22-year-old American has also removed the mystery that surrounded his withdrawal from all sporting competitions in 2011, the year that saw him win, to everyone's surprise, the Daytona 500.

Trevor Bayne claims for the moment not to have any symptoms, although he must obviously, on the advice of doctors, monitor his body's reactions very carefully. However, there is no question of putting an end to his career, which currently sees him working full-time in the Nationwide Series, the second division of Nascar. “My hope is to never suffer from the symptoms, He says. Some people with multiple sclerosis live completely normal lives, and I hope to be one of them. For the moment, I have no symptoms, and I feel perfectly fit to fly. » According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, symptoms and severity of the disease vary from person to person. And although Trevor Bayne's sister also suffers from multiple sclerosis, doctors specify that it is not a hereditary disease, especially since there are several types. And there is also uncertainty regarding the type the Nationwide Series driver has.

Since the 2011 season saw him stop competing for two months after feeling his arm go numb during a race in Texas, Trevor Bayne has regularly returned to the clinic where he was examined, in order to find out concretely what he was suffering badly. From now on, if he takes medication, he says he feels good. Last December, he finished second in his category during a triathlon. Steve Newmark, president of Roush Fenway Racing, affirms that he has complete confidence in the doctors at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester Minnesota). The latter having told him that his driver could continue to ride, he decided to support him. Bayne also assures that his illness did not disrupt him in 2013. With one round remaining, he occupies sixth place in the general standings of the Nationwide Series, thanks in particular to a victory won at Iowa Speedway.

Next year, he plans a similar schedule to this year, namely a few Sprint Cup Series rounds in addition to the Nationwide Series. “ I can continue to do my job the same way, assures Trevor Bayne. MMy competitive temperament is exactly the same as the one I had when I started competing at five years old. I want to win races and championships and continue to perform at the highest level. Physically speaking, nothing has changed, so I am able to continue…”

When Roush, the team's big boss, learned of his driver's illness, he asked him. " How are you ? ». The latter having responded positively, he continued: “What can we do to make our cars go faster? » The boss's attention shifted directly to the competition, in line with what Trevor Bayne had wanted...