YSS Partners with NASCAR Driver Carson Ware for Iowa Opioid Prevention Campaign

NASCAR driver Carson Ware is shifting his focus from the track to public health. During the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series HyVee Perks 250 at Iowa Speedway on August 8, his No. 47 Chevrolet will feature branding for a statewide opioid prevention campaign. This initiative, titled Before it Becomes More: Strengthening Iowans Against Opioids, is led by the organization YSS.

Ware brings personal experience to this partnership. As the son of team owner Rick Ware, he emphasizes that addiction affects people regardless of their background or resources. After overcoming his own battle with substance use and an overdose, he is now using his platform to promote early intervention and support services for young people across the state.

Beyond the race car, Ware will visit the YSS Ember Recovery facility. He intends to speak with youth about the realities of substance misuse and the importance of seeking help before small problems grow into crises. The campaign provides interactive exhibits at community events that focus on risk awareness and prevention education for families.

Aaron Blass of YSS states that the partnership is meant to spark necessary conversations and provide tangible resources to Iowa communities. By integrating this message into a major sporting event, the team and the organization aim to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. The collaboration serves as a direct effort to ensure that Iowans know where to turn for assistance before reaching a critical point.