NASCAR Cup

Darlington: Honorary crew member - David Eads

Darlington's 2009 Citizen of the Year Joins ExtenZe Racing as Local Hero and Honorary Crew Chief for NASCAR Event at Darlington Raceway ExtenZe Local Hero Program Celebrates Those Who Go to Great Lengths to Make a Difference in Their ...

Published: May 6, 2010, 4:37 AM

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Darlington's 2009 Citizen of the Year Joins ExtenZe Racing as Local Hero and Honorary Crew Chief for NASCAR Event at Darlington Raceway

ExtenZe Local Hero Program Celebrates Those Who Go to Great Lengths to Make a Difference in Their Communities

STATESVILLE, NC (May 4, 2010) - Back in January at the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet, a local chiropractor and philanthropist by the name of Dr. David Eads was honored as 2009 Citizen of the Year in recognition of his outstanding community service. For that, Eads has been named an 'ExtenZe Local Hero' and will serve as Honorary Crew Chief for the leading NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year driver Kevin Conway and his ExtenZe Racing team at the upcoming Darlington Raceway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend.

A native of Charleston, Eads moved to Darlington in 1976 when his father became principal of St. Johns High School and since then has become very familiar with Darlington's generosity and its needs over the years. Despite being born elsewhere Eads says there's nowhere else he'd rather live and work. Eads career path was mapped out fairly early in his childhood as grew up best friends with the son of a prominent local chiropractor by the name of Dr. Joe Willis and spent a lot of time at the chiropractic office following in the footsteps of his friend's dad observing him with his patients.

After graduating from Clemson, Eads joined Dr. Willis' practice in Darlington and then bought the practice when Willis retired. Now entering his 21st year of straightening of the aches and pains of friends and neighbors, Eads says the spinal care business has remained healthy but it's his love of community service that keeps him going.

Eads interest in community service evolved organically stemming from involvement with youth recreational sports leagues through his children. Over 12 years of coaching rec league basketball and baseball, participating in various PTO's, boards, and school related activities, Eads has become familiar with hundreds of local kids and the challenges their families face. He has also served on the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and during his time as chairman he urged more participation with local charities like The Lord Cares food bank, and he founded the annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway on the Darlington Square.

Beyond his plan to keep the turkey giveaway going for as long as he can, Eads says he would love to see more youth oriented programs established especially those which provide mentoring and a safe place for kids to hang out.

"When I heard that Dr. David Eads was recently named the 2009 Citizen of the Year in Darlington it was a no brainer for me to want to honor him as our ExtenZe Local Hero," said Kevin Conway, driver of the No. 37 ExtenZe Racing Ford Fusion and leading Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate. "When we put our Local Hero program together before the season began it was the likes of Dr. Eads that we had in mind that would make this program successful. We're honored to be giving him a behind-the-scenes look at a NASCAR Sprint Cup team in action and appreciate his support at Darlington Raceway and can't thank him enough for all that he does for the Darlington community."

The 'ExtenZe Local Hero' program pays tribute to people who have gone to great lengths to make a difference. Those selected have faced danger, sacrificed their own safety for others or in some way displayed leadership that changed their community for the better. Award recipients become ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chiefs, receive a tour of the paddock, attend the pre-race NASCAR Driver/Crew Chief meeting, and sit atop the pit box with Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo to root on rookie driver Kevin Conway piloting the royal blue and red No. 37 ExtenZe Ford Fusion. Each recipient also receives a $1,000 award from ExtenZe, the world's best selling male enhancement product, in recognition of their selflessness.

-source: frm

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