2014 Racing4Research Daytona

Amazing spirit renewal occurs for Travis while at a race track, this renewal increases tremendously during the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Travis loves watching the No 73 Children's Tumor Foundation/Racing4Research Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT America with his name and signature complete laps around Daytona International Speedway. A part of Travis literally races around the track...for 24 hours. We know Travis' passion for race cars, drivers, cars, Racing4Research, CTF, race tracks and more. This event combines T's passions while allowing T to interact and talk cars with his favorite drivers and teams...one easily observes the sheer joy on Travis' face. Each of the drivers and teams we met with during the weekend interacted with Travis and all the NF Heroes with caring, conversation, compassion, and smiles.

Track events this year included a shorter race on Friday afternoon with the Continental Tire Challenge race where we met with Ryan Winchester and Ryan Eversley before the race. Travis briefly met Ryan Eversley at Daytona in 2013 and enjoyed getting to spend time with him on the grid before the race. Travis wanted to show Ryan W some of the cars he brought, both had a great time.

Travis showing Ryan Winchester one of the cars he brought,
notice this smile on Ryan's face.

Travis getting a hug from Ryan Eversley.

With windy conditions at the track, Travis wanted to head back to the hotel to play cars for a little while before the team dinner Friday night. Like last year, we returned to the track for the team dinner, speakers, and arcade fun. Travis checked out Jimmy Johnson's 2013 Daytona 500 winning car and climbed up the 31 degree embankment mock-up also in the same room. In addition to spending time with the current drivers for Park Place Motorsports, drivers from previous and current R4R teams attend this event, including Justin Bell, Daniel Graeff, and Patrick Long. Travis always enjoys seeing Justin Bell, the first R4R driver he met during the Utah Grand Prix in 2012. The arcades just opened, yet Travis spent time talking with Daniel on his way to play race car games. We cheered on Daniel in Colorado in 2012 and Daytona in 2013.

Buddies Justin Bell and Travis

Daniel Graeff and Travis talking cars

In addition to Park Place Motorsports and Compass360 Racing, cars from GMG Racing, Dempsey Racing (yes, that Dempsey), and Chip Ganassi Racing would carry the CTF/Racing4Research logo in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Travis refers to Patrick Dempsey as "Driver Change" from the Porsche commercial as Dempsey Racing prepares for the 2013 24 Hours at Le Mans (Travis met Patrick Long at Daytona in 2013). Patrick Dempsey made an appearance and speech at the team dinner and before leaving he met Travis. I told Travis that he was meeting "Driver Change" and Travis told Patrick Dempsey, "I like your commercial." Travis clarified that it was the "Driver Change" commercial and a huge smile appeared on Patrick Dempsey's face. Travis told him that his favorite part of the commercial was when they did driver change at night when they were sleeping.

I love the smiles.

Patrick Dempsey meeting Travis, I love their expressions.
This picture was included in a Tweet to Dempsey Racing,
 they RT and favorited our Tweet.

During the 2013 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, part of Travis' name received a few scrapes. Travis had one message to the drivers of the #73 this year, "Don't scrape my name." Travis was off playing racing video games, so I relayed his message to Patrick Lindsey (returning 2013 driver), Connor De Phillipi, and Kévin Estre. They laughed and Patrick Lindsey said for Travis to circle his name and write "Don't hit here" as a message to the other drivers on the track. When I told Travis Patrick's idea, Travis thought that would work. We enjoyed our evening with our NF R4R families and drivers as we all prepare for the next 2 days.

The 2014 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona started a little more than an hour earlier than when we attended in 2013, so Travis and I headed to the track early to navigate the changes in track logistics due to the construction at the track. We arrived at the same time as another NF family whose teenage son also operates a power chair. The five of us checked out the garage area and got an early look at our #73 and Travis' name location on the car in addition to seeing our #32 GMG Racing car and the #44 Magnus Racing (partnered with CTF before and based in Salt Lake City). We met our group and headed out for our meet and greet with Dempsey Racing. All the drivers met with Travis and the NF Heroes, Travis enjoyed seeing Joe Foster (the last of the 3 in the "Driver Change" commercial) in person and the remaining drivers Andrew Davis and Marc Lieb.

Patrick Dempsey with Travis on Sat.

Andrew Davis, Joe Foster, Marc Lieb with Travis
(T's really not scared)

A healing occurs within Travis when he writes his name on the CTF car. Observing from the outside, it appears that T enters a place where he tunes out the rest of the world. All his concentration, energy, frustration, thoughts almost appear as they are being transported into his name on the car (I could be completely off-base on this observation). While the team completed last minute adjustments to the front of the #73, the NF Heroes signed the back of the car. After writing his name, Travis proceeded to draw a circle surrounding his name.

Travis writing his name on the #73.

Travis' circled name on the #73.

All the #73 drivers autographed T's shirt and event posters. Travis and Jason Hart (2013 driver) enjoyed visiting again this year and Mike Vess enthusiastically greeted Travis and all the NF Heroes. After the group picture we visited our #32 GMG Racing team and we just missed meeting James Sofronas. :(  (Travis cheered him on when T was in the hospital in May/June '13) With Travis and his buddy Nic reunited at the track, they resumed playing with cars about where they left off last year. The track conducted driver introductions differently this year; although, we still could walk the grid and go on the track before heading into the grandstands. The green flag dropped and the race began.

A horrific crash unfortunately occurred around the 3 hour mark in the race, resulting in a red flag and most cars stopped on the front stretch of the tri-oval. Travis and I were already walking on the wide aisle by the fence at the time of the wreck, so we looked for the different CTF cars. We arrived first at the #73 with Connor De Phillipi behind the wheel. Connor recognized the CTF blue shirts and gave a thumbs up and wave to Travis. This continued off-and-on throughout the 20+ minute stoppage. Travis also checked on the state of his name, no scrapes.

Travis and the #73 during the red flag

Connor giving Travis a thumbs up
(the bottom of the window)

The race resumed and Travis located a place to resume playing cars while taking breaks to watch the CTF cars go by. This kid truly loves racing. As before, leaving the track is the hardest part of our day. Travis fell asleep watching the internet broadcast of the race and he was ready to return to the track Sunday morning.

Travis and I found a place in the infield where he could play cars while watching the CTF cars on the track and played cars for 2 hours. He even had a son of a crew member from a non-CTF car join him for ~1 hour. While eating lunch, Jason Hart passed through the area where we sat and stopped to talk with Travis (and play cars for a minute). He and Travis bonded at the race last year and had a great conversation about cars after Jason's last rotation behind the wheel. Soon enough the final minutes of the 24 hour race arrived and we walked to the pit area for the end of the race. The #73 finished in 13th place for their class, improving several positions from 2013. Travis eagerly awaited the arrival of the #73 to the pits so he could check on the condition of his name.

After 24 hours of racing AND being on the back of the car, Travis found a wonderful surprise that his name was NOT scraped this year. He was thrilled!!! Patrick L, Connor, and Kévin decided that T circling his name worked to keep that area from getting scraped...they said that T should circle the car next year. Our drivers Mike Vess, Jason Hart, Patrick Lindsey, Connor De Phillipi, and Kévin Estre along with the #71 Park Place Motorsports drivers celebrated finishing the 24 hour race with the NF Heroes and families. These gentlemen, and those who drove for CTF before, commit to something beyond themselves when they drive for CTF, they continue this commitment even if they drive for different teams.

Jill Beck, R4R Program Director, greeting T

Patrick, Kévin, T, and Connor inspect T's name.

T and Jason discussing racing and cars,
I wouldn't expect anything else

Travis with Jason and his wife, Ashley

Patrick, Travis, and Connor proudly showing off T's non-scraped name.

Travis and Connor, "Thumbs Up"

Travis and Kévin

Travis and Mike

Travis and Craig Stanton, one of the #71 drivers

Travis and Lesley, a fellow NF Mom

 After we left the pit, we saw Ryan Eversley again and he talked with Travis for a few minutes. As we were getting ready to load into the rental car, Travis' buddy Nic passed by. They gave each other big hugs and had a fun time together again.

Travis and Nic, look at T's smile.

Final thoughts...we know Travis' passion for cars and racing, easily visible to all. Many, many times throughout the weekend I noticed a look of sheer joy on Travis' face. I know his spirits are renewed as he was truly in his element with his NF friends and drivers. We thank God for providing opportunities like these for Travis through the work of amazing individuals and groups. Words cannot begin to express the amount of gratitude we have for all our drivers, their crews, and Jill Beck. The drivers' willingness to share their passion for their sport while looking up to our NF Heroes for endurance (mentioned several times at the team dinner), really creates a beautiful relationship for all. One notices how the drivers (and crew) become part of our NF Family and their caring for the NF Heroes. As for Travis, this experience provides something internally that no amount of medicine, therapy, or treatment could provide. I am brought to tears for this healing and renewal of strength to help him move forward. Thank you to all who make this possible.