NASCAR drivers help bring attention to two missing girls from Iowa

Travis Kvapil prepares to be interviewed by
ESPN. Photo credit: BK Racing Facebook

On July 13, 2012 ten-year-old Lyric Cook and her soon to be nine-year-old cousin Elizabeth Collins went out for a bike ride at about 11:30 a.m. and never returned, they were reported missing later that day. The girls were last seen riding their bikes in Evensdale, Iowa by the lake around 2 p.m. The girls' abandoned bikes and a purse were found by the banks of the lake just hours after they were reported missing. Missing for a little over three weeks now, FBI agents are very hopeful that the girls are still alive. This story caught the attention of three NASCAR drivers,  Michael Annett from the NASCAR Nationwide Series and BK Racing drivers Landon Cassill and Travis Kvapil.

Michael Annett, driver of the No. 43 Northland Oil Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports, raced at Iowa Speedway on Saturday featuring pictures and contact information for the two missing girls on the deck lid and C-posts. Of note: Annette qualified this special car in the 25th position and finished the race in fourth.

Landon Cassill, driver of the No. 83 Burger King/Dr. Pepper Toyota, and his teammate Travis Kvapil, driver of the No. 93 Burger King/Dr. Pepper Toyota, also featured pictures of the two missing girls in the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway.

Cassill, who is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa said, "Being from Iowa, and having some other folks in the sport from Iowa, we are all pulling together to raise as much attention as possible to help locate the two missing girls." Cassill continued to say, "I really want to do as much as possible and this is one step. I can't thank the team enough for doing this." Cassill qualified 22nd and finished 26th.

Kvapil was hoping that the efforts would put a national spotlight on the investigation. He made the statement, "As a parent, I want to do anything I can to help the families locate their children. I'm pleased that we have the special decals on our cars this weekend and I hope that this will aid in the search." Kvapil qualified 37th and finished the race in 25th.