Young adults with no family history of cancer allows millions of Americans to take their health for granted during their younger years, but Jess Ballard and her boyfriend, race car driver Travis Braden wish to share Ballard’s story.
She’s 25 years old and perfectly healthy. At least that’s what she thought until she found a lump on her left breast and went to a physician in Charlotte, N.C.
“The doctors told her that she shouldn’t worry because of her age and that her family hasn’t experienced any issues that have involved any kind of cancer,” Braden explained. “They explained that it was pretty common for younger women to have lumps develop because of cysts and things like that. But Jess said this one hurt and I guess that’s not very normal.
“That was back in October, and by the day before Thanksgiving Jess had a single mastectomy,” he said. “She will start chemotherapy in a couple of weeks so that’s why we came to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Chili Bowl Nationals. I know there will be a lot of media here so we want to take advantage of the media coverage to share her story because it’s really important for people not to take their health for granted. I believe her story can save a lot of lives.”
It was a friend that convinced Ballard to have the lump examined.
“And thank God she did,” Braden said. “Jess had established a doctor about two weeks before she noticed the lump, and if she would have ignored it like some people do, Jess would be in bigger trouble than she’s in now. But the fact she went to the doctor when she did, and has taken the steps that she has since, we hope the chemo can just get it all out of her body. That’s definitely best-case scenario.
“As far as the Chili Bowl Nationals, we had the opportunity to come and I’m not one who shies away from a challenge,” he explained. “Plus, I thought it would be fun for a lot of fans to see someone like me who has done so much pavement racing to try dirt racing for a change. Every time I get asked about that I plan to share her story to raise as much awareness as I can.”
The 36th Annual
He first began racing on go carts when he was very young one of them even hangs on a wall at Quaker Steak and Lube at The Highlands in Ohio County, but as a professional this week represents the first time he will race on the dirt surface during the indoor midget car race.
The track is only a quarter-mile long inside the Tulsa Expo Center, and the Chili Bowl Nationals is referred to as the “Super Bowl of midget racing because there are hundreds registered to race. The event takes place over a series of days with a plethora of drivers attempting to qualify for the final, championship race that is scheduled for this Saturday evening.
“I did get to practice this morning and I really didn’t get the feel for it yet because I was only allowed to do three laps because of how many drivers are here,” Braden said. “It is very different than what I am used to, I can tell you that, but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it this week. The biggest difference is that it’s a really short track so you’re sideways most of the time.
“The car is only 800 pounds and it has 400 horsepower, and there are big tires and it’s a really short car so it handles really quick and really well,” he said. “This is going to be tough because this is my first time doing something like this, but it’s going to be worth it because Jess and I are going to raise as much awareness as we can so we can possibly help others avoid what she’s gone through and what she has in front of her now.”
The Chili Bowl Nationals, sponsored by Lucas Oil, started in 1987 and features 55 laps.
“Because I’m not that familiar with the dirt track or the Dirt Midget cars, there are no expectations about winning so that takes all the pressure off and will allow us to do what we love to do and that is to race,” Braden said. “We’re probably not going to get to race much once Jess’ treatments start so we’re going to try to have as much fun as we can here in Tulsa before going back to Charlotte.
“That is where Jess has her doctor so we’ll be there as long as necessary to make sure she’s going to be OK and the doctors got rid of it,” he continued. “She’s a young lady with a lot of life left to live so we’re very much looking forward to fighting through this and putting it behind us.”
