Ulcerative Colitis

But Speed attacked his illness with the same gusto he unleashes on the track.

He received aggressive medical treatment in Vienna and he has been symptom-free for a year.He feels great, but it was a life-changing experience."It's something of a huge character builder, when you can walk around the race track and still perform wearing diapers and have self-dignity," Speed said.

"It's something that you have to learn.

And I think it's something that has, for sure, helped."He understands how many people will be watching, and who will be cheering for him.

His mother, Julie Speed, will rise from her bed before 3 a.m.

on Sunday morning and park in front of the big screen television in their Manteca home, waiting to see her son.She has been getting encouragement for weeks from friends, family and complete strangers who see her in the grocery store and hold up a racing magazine which features Scott, an East Union High School graduate."Everyone has been great around here and they are all rooting for Scott," Julie Speed said.

"It's a big deal because this is what he's always wanted.

I'm thrilled, but admittedly a little anxious."Speed's mom and friends aren't the only ones rooting for him.

The last driver from the United States to compete on the Formula One circuit was Michael Andretti in 1993, and...

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