Madison Arnot Cancer Victim

Shawn Balluzzo is getting older at 53 he is the elder statesman among Langley Speedway regulars but stock-car racing never gets old for him. He begins defense of his track Modified championship tonight, but his quest for a fourth title in five seasons is only a part of his spectacular plans.

A former Late Model season runner-up, he'll still run the occasional race in that division, although he won't double up every week as he did en route to his three previous Modified titles. He'll make up for that on June 12 when he runs six yes, six races in one night.

Balluzzo said he plans that Saturday to drive in each race on the card: Late Model 100-lapper, Modified 50, Grand Stock 40, Super Truck 25, Legends 25 and UCAR 25. He's running to raise money for Madison Arnot, a 10-year-old area girl battling colon cancer.

"You don't know how lucky you are sometimes until you see the problem someone like Madison deals with without ever complaining," Balluzzo said. "Her situation touched me because I went through some colon problems this winter that scared me to death.

"I'm not sure if I was more scared of what was going on or about getting the colonoscopy, because I've almost never had to go to a doctor. When I heard her story, I realized my fears were nothing, and it turned out not to be serious."

Balluzzo said he learned of Madison's condition from fellow Modified driver Steve Maguire. Coincidentally, Balluzzo had told Maguire about his desire to run every race on a Langley card if he could ever swing it.

So Balluzzo combined his wish to help Madison with a desire to attempt a challenge no Langley driver ever has tackled. As genuine as Balluzzo's charitable instincts are, the racer in him is equally excited about driving six races.

"The thing is, I have the potential to challenge for first place in all of those races," he said. "The cars and trucks guys are letting me use are among the best in their divisions.

"I know there have been some winners of twin races in a single division over the years, but I can't remember when anyone won multiple races in different divisions on the same night."

The Modified race will be his best shot at victory, as it has been for the past four years. Balluzzo fared well in his Late Model the first two decades of his career, but was more often than not the bridesmaid: finishing second in the division standings once at Langley and three consecutive seasons at the former Southampton Motor Speedway.

But he's been the man to beat since Langley introduced Modifieds as a full-time support class at the start of the 2006 season. If not for blown motors on consecutive weeks in 2008, Balluzzo might have won the division title four straight times.

"I think the big key is that all I have to worry about is driving the Modified," said Balluzzo, who usually has owned and maintained his Late Model. "John Bradley, the car owner and crew chief, is very knowledgeable.

"If I tell him the car is tight or loose, he always can fix it. I think not being the owner, and worrying about whether or not making a move on the track is going to cost me money, takes a lot of the pressure off."

A lack of caution has not caused any problems for Balluzzo, who's been in only one car-damaging wreck during his four years in a Modified. He figures he'll need similar good fortune to win another title, something he still hungers for at his advancing age.

"The competition is getting tougher every week, so we'll have to be even better," he said. "But I still love going out the track as much as I did 26 years ago. I love the camaraderie and all of the friends I have out there.

updated by @stars-radio: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Hampton, VA- The Hampton Roads area in Virginia is known for many things. The worlds largest Naval Base, the Chesapeake Bay and the Historic Triangle are most commonly known. For sick children and their families, there is a hospital here that we all know about. Annually, thousands of childre go there for medical care. This hospital is the Childrens Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk VA and right now it is a mainstay in the life of a 10 year old little girl named Madison Arnot and her family. At CHKD, Madison is known as their little Rock Star- this is her story.Madison is the youngest patient to receive treatment at CHKD for a genetic disorder called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). This disease allows hundreds to thousands of colorectal polyps to develop at a very early age. This disease, untreated can lead to cancer. Doctors screened Madison and her siblings at a young age because their father had overcome his challenge with this disease at the age of 19. Madison was the only child that tested positive and so her treatment began.In March of 2009, Madison had her colon removed. Since that time, things have not gone well and she has now had six to seven surgeries with the anticipation of five or six more. She is currently in home health care and her IV and feeding supply costs are unimaginable. Madisons parents have health insurance, but her health demands prevent her mother from working and the co pays continue to mount.Fast forward to April 2010, Madison and her family are being embraced by another part of Hampton Roads that is very well known to those who live here- the racing community. Langley Speedway, a NASCAR sanctioned shortrack celebrating its 60th season has been visited by many of NASCARs biggest names; such as Ned Jarrett, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and Denny Hamlin- just to name a few.However, it is one of Langley Speedways most recognized names that heard about Madisons plight who has come forward to raise money to help Madisons healthcare to continue with fewer burdens to her family than they currently carry. Madisons local racing hero is Shawn Balluzzo. Shawn, age 53 has 29 wins in three different classes at 4 different racetracks on the east coast. He has won three Modified Championships and is the reigning track champion at Langley. 2010 marks his 26th year racing and what will certainly be his most memorable regardless of the outcome of competition for the year.On June 12, 2010 Shawn will be competing in the Rock Star 265 Race for Life: Benefiting Madison Arnot. Shawn will be the first driver in Langley Speedways history to compete in every race on the schedule for that evening. He will be competing in the Late Model Stock Car, Modified, Grand Stock Super Truck, U-Car and Legend races that night. This is a racing feat that has not been attempted by anyone, anywhere. Therefore Shawn will be setting new records while raising money for Madison.Portions of the purse money won by Shawn will be donated to Madison and her family. In addition, over the next six weeks leading up to the Rock Star 265, pledge cards will be available at the Fan Club booth at the speedway for fans to make flat donations or to donate money for each lap Shawn is able to complete. Shawns cars are being donated by drivers that regularly race in their respective divisions at a competitive level. Their crews will be assisting him in each race, therefore giving him a realistic chance at a win in every race.Outside of his weekly racing hobbies, Shawn designs and builds racing simulators for Sprint Cup teams and other businesses. As part of the evenings fundraising events, Shawn will have simulators on hand for fans to race in. All of the proceeds from the simulators will go towards this great cause. All fundraising events from the evening will benefit the Arnot family. If you, your family or business would like to get involved in what promises to be an event to remember, please contact Shawn Balluzzo at sballuzzo@msn.com or757-513-5223.Madison Arnot has never once complained and her parents say she doesnt ask why either. By all accounts, she is a consummate fighter that intends to win her lifes biggest battle. Join the Arnot family and Shawn on June 12, 2010 at Langley Speedway and support her in her attempts to defeat this disease.