May, 2001 -
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Producer John Shestack, with credits such as blockbusters 'Air Force One' and 'Disturbing Behavior', founded the 'Cure Autism Now' Foundation with his wife five years ago because they have a child with the disease. At that time, they discovered that nobody was really doing any scientific research on that subject, so they started the foundation with the help from actors such as Anthony Edwards and Rene Russo, and the program has grown ever since. Due to the fact that the Indy 500 is one of the most watched sporting events on television, therefore, the organization started a program in May to sponsor a race team and a local charity program in conjunction with local supermarket Marsh, where shoppers could contribute one dollar at the checkout counters towards the cure autism program.
As of Anthony Edwards, who can be seen as Dr. Greene on popular TV show 'ER' and 'Goose' in movie 'Top Gun', was also on hand at the Speedway during the month of May to promote the cure autism program:
KEVIN MA: Tony, can you tell us about the program and its involvement with motorsports?
ANTHONY EDWARDS: Well, I am on the board of 'Cure Autism Now'. I've been working with them exclusively – the charity that I've worked with for the last four years, so it is going to be five years old. We have became the largest funded Autism research outside the government and we raised more than four million dollars last year -- directly funded autism research. It is an individual, self-motivated organization, taking up slack for the lack of research in focus of autism. That's the technical part of it, and then the more legislative work – trying to get autism bill passes through. And then on the flip side, I love open wheel racing. We can be able to combine something that has never been done before, which is having charity to be the title sponsor on the race car, and we also able to get our corporate sponsors – Simple Green, Marsh Supermarket and Motor Trend, get them to put interests in motor racing. Our motor racing program is originated here, so we can able get attention because of that, and it is a really good marriage.
KM: How's the message about autism being sent during the month of May so far at the Speedway?
AE: We're kind of getting all along, even in the qualifying weekend -- There is one out of 500 births infected by autism, so everybody probably knows somebody and somebody knows somebody who has artistic child. There is a place for everybody to come together, such as the website, for people to come and find information, but also know what's the latest going on and how they can actually help. There are many people who feel helpless and this is the way how they can help their friends or children. We are trying to send out the message through our racing program.
KM: Do you think you celebrity status would help you to promote the program?
AE: I think that is the value of a celebrity and that is what the celebrity for -- able to draw attention to something which is important. When it comes to kids that can't speak, celebrity is a great way to balance it out – to be able to speak for them to draw focus.
KM: So what role are you in after the Indy 500? Are you going to be the spokesperson for the program?
AE: Certainly in the racing part of the program. I cannot be the spokesperson for the entire organization because the technical aspects of the research won't be on me. Our goal is to have a full racing season, so 'Cure Autism Now' is common to racing as we look out to Team Penske, Target [Chip Ganassi] and the rest of them, and that's our goal.
KM: So 'Cure Autism Now' will focus on the IRL series this year?
AE: The IRL is the best place to come to. The [Indianapolis Motor] Speedway has been incredibly supportive, so as the Firestone tires. It is a very open and friendly series – you see on qualifying weekend, when somebody got qualified, that team helped out other teams, sharing information to help them to qualify. It is a real supportive series here.
KM: You drove the pace car last year for the 500, and you are very active in participating in celebrity go-kart races. Do you consider yourself a good driver and can you be a racecar driver yourself?
AE: I don't think so. I am more like a groupie than a driver. I think that's what I do best. When you go to race school once and you'll realize what it takes to be a good driver. You need complete, total dedication, and youth helps too.
KM: Can you compare being an actor and a racecar driver?
AE: I think the reason why a lot of actors have drawn to it because once they get around the track and drive a little bit, they will see it's all about concentration and being able to deal with series of things in order. I think actors appreciate that where focus and concentration are involved.
KM: [Laugh] So what happened in the last episode of ER? (Dr. Greene was trying to let the violent patient die in the elevator.)
AE: [Laugh] What happened? You tell me what happened.
KM: I don't know… [Laugh continues] Is it the last season you are going to be in the show?
AE: Yes, one more year.
KM: Well, can you tell us what will happen next year?
AE: I can't tell you anything!
I guess I will have to tune in for that next season.
Despite the original sponsored car, driven by Memo Gidley at Brayton Racing, wasn't able to qualify for the race, the “Cure Autism Now' program found its place at Robbie McGehee's Cahill Racing machine as McGehee finished a respectful 11th in the 500-mile marathon.
