DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 08: Joey Logano Make-A-Wish during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A Dream Come True: DAYTONA 500 Edition

February 17, 2020

Helping kids in need is a big part on which The NASCAR Foundation is built. Establishing a partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation is another step forward of achieving that aspect of our mission. For many years, the Foundation and Make-A-Wish have dedicated efforts to helping children battling a critical illness see the impossible become possible. Together, we can make children’s NASCAR dreams come true.

Throughout the excitement of the Busch Clash At Daytona International Speedway in February, the Foundation had the opportunity of helping Make-A-Wish kid, 16-year-old Sarah from Texas, receive her wish of seeing a NASCAR race in person. To add an extra sprinkle of magic, NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano made a surprise appearance, providing an added level of excitement and delight for Sarah. Not only was this experience special for Sarah, but it also provided joy to her parents. The joy on their faces was apparent as they watched their daughter interact with one of NASCAR’s best, both on and off the track.

The following weekend at the DAYTONA 500 we hosted three more Make-A-Wish kids for a once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience at the track. Eleven-year-old Jeremiah from California, 12-year-old Waylon from New Mexico and 15-year-old Cameron from California joined us at the track for a garage tour and a surprise autograph session with Chase Elliott. With the prerace festivities and behind-the-scenes tour, the children and their families were able to enjoy one of the most anticipated days in all of sports, the DAYTONA 500.

It’s moments like these that show it’s more than racing. While these families continue to face different challenges with their health, looking back on their trip at the Speedway helps them all stay strong. We look forward to hosting many more families with chronic illnesses this year.