MOORESVILLE, N.C. When suffering a stroke, seconds matter. What better way to emphasize this point than with a race car driver whose performance is measured in seconds?

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and 19-year-old driver Donovan Strauss has partnered with Sevaro, the leading provider of AI-powered virtual neurology and intelligent analytics, to raise awareness about the importance of rapid stroke identification and treatment, understanding stroke risk factors and prevention.

A full-time driver on the zMAX CARS Tour for Hettinger Racing, Strauss is already quick, and he will use his platform to promote B.E.F.A.S.T. (Balance, Eye gaze, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to call 911), the acronym used to swiftly identify and assist an individual experiencing a stroke.

In racing, were always up against the clock. A tenth of a second can be the difference between winning and losing, Strauss said. Seconds are even more critical when it comes to stroke. Ive seen up close how stroke changes lives. Its personal to me. Im proud to team up with Sevaro to help do my part to spread awareness and bring attention to the signs, risks and treatment options surrounding stroke. The more people understand what to look for and how to respond, the better chance we have of saving and improving lives.

Strauss No. 4 Chevrolet for Hettinger Racing will carry the colors of Sevaro and promote its Synapse AI capabilities, a physician-designed platform that brings together everything needed for seamless telemedicine scheduling, imaging, video, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) integration and AI documentation.

At Sevaro, our mission is simple. We believe in using technology to move faster, think smarter and, ultimately, save lives, said Dr. Raj Narula, founder and CEO, Sevaro. Donovan embodies what it means to embrace innovation, and through this partnership, we have a powerful opportunity to bring greater visibility to stroke awareness and the life-saving potential of AI in healthcare. Together, were accelerating the conversation around timely care and prevention.

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of severe disability. Stroke can happen to anyone at any age. However, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. This is where Sevaro, and its awareness campaign with Strauss, aims to make a difference.

Stroke is a time-sensitive medical emergency, and rapid identification is essential to improving patient outcomes. As the fifth-leading cause of death and a primary cause of long-term disability in the U.S., the need for timely, expert neurological care cannot be overstated, Narula said.

At Sevaro, weve developed AI-driven workflow automation and a robust teleneurology platform that empowers hospitals and providers to deliver faster, more accurate stroke assessments while expanding access to specialized care.

Partnering with Donovan Strauss allows us to amplify this message through a unique platform that blends real-world impact with digital reach. Our goal is to educate the public and support clinicians so we can prevent strokes before they happen.

Strauss is the perfect fit for Sevaro and its AI-powered medical systems. Strauss began his racing career as a 14-year-old via iRacing, a global racing simulation game. Virtual success has translated into tangible racing success, with Strauss winning the 2024 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series South Carolina Rookie-of-the-Year title thanks to a breakout victory Aug. 17 at Florence (S.C.) Motor Speedway.

Even after advancing to the CARS Tour in 2025, the nations premier Late Model touring series, Strauss remains committed to the platform that sparked his racing career. This is his fourth consecutive season with Williams Esports, the gaming arm of Atlassian Williams Racing, the venerable F1 team founded by Sir Frank Williams. Strauss competes for the team in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series and he helped Williams Esports claim the 2024 team championship.

My racing career started in the virtual world, so the connection with Sevaro and their AI-powered medical technology feels like a natural fit, Strauss said. Ive seen firsthand how powerful technology can be from iRacing to sim sessions and Sevaro is bringing even greater innovation to healthcare. Their ability to use AI to speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment is a game-changer, and Im proud to help showcase their technology.