Amazing Weekend!

Travis started his amazing weekend with a check-up at the orthopedic surgeon's office to check his leg (T had a difficult time getting around and walking about a week after the last checkup). Dr. Jones ordered x-rays and we're happy to report that Travis' leg is continuing to heal wonderfully, lots of great healing these past 3 weeks even being on Peg-interferon. The best guess is that Travis maybe "overdid" it the first week. He is improving, so that is great. :)

Now for the fun and pictures...where to begin, there are SO many fabulous stories. Racing4Research arrived in Utah with Compass360 Racing for the conclusion of the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car (TC) series. We cheered on the No. 71 and No. 72 Children’s Tumor Foundation Honda Civics as they raced on Friday and Saturday. Michael DiMeo (No. 71 driver) and Karl Thomson (No. 72 driver) finished the as the series leaders before this weekend's races started. Travis enjoyed seeing Karl again and meeting Michael, plus we also stopped by the garages of GMG Racing and Lone Star Racing. As always, T loved seeing one of his all-time favorite girls...Jill!

Jill Beck and Travis

Travis racing Karl Thomson
(Karl cut his foot, so he had crutches)

We stayed for the GT races later on Friday and cheered on our friends at GMG Racing, including James Sofronas (James was the driver T watched in the hospital back in 2013), and Lone Star Racing. We headed home since the first races on Saturday started at 9a and we knew T would want to be at the track before then.

Travis and I arrived at the track early Saturday morning and were able to visit with Karl and Michael before their final race. T used this opportunity to have Karl and Michael sign his "Art Car" brace, note Karl's signing position in the picture below. Adding more fun into the mix, Travis got to be the flag "guy" for the No. 71 Children's Tumor Foundation Honda Civic before the start of the TC race. We met up with Scott, Nolan, Barrett, Grandma C, and Grandpa C to watch the race. Unfortunately some bad luck and car damage kept the No. 71 away from a podium chance; however, there was still plenty to celebrate with winning the series. :)

Karl Thomson signing
T's "Art Car" brace

T holding the personalized visor
cover from Michael DiMeo

Nolan, Travis, and Barrett during Saturday's TC race

We saw Michael DiMeo shortly after the race and he spent some time with Nolan, Barrett, and Travis letting them check out his helmet. Micheal then personalized his visor shield tear-away for Travis with "Travis, you are a special boy! Keep fighting!". Such a great group of guys and the entire Compass360 Racing team this weekend! Other Utah CTF families arrived at the track to meet the drivers and get a tour around the paddock. Always great to see our friends (and T's buddy Jake).  :)

If you don't have tissues handy, you may want to go get some. During the time between the TC and GT races, we stopped by Lone Star Racing to see Travis' racing buddy Jason Hart (from the 2013 and 2014 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona). These 2 have this amazing love of racing bond. We saw Jason on Friday, but Saturday offered a little more time to visit.

Travis and Jason Hart

T wanted Jason to sign his "Art Car" brace since Jason drove that car this past year. Jason happily signed the brace and even offered his hat to Travis. T isn't a hat person, so they decided that T could sign Jason's hat. Jason brought out his racing helmet and let Travis try it on, T didn't want it on all the way. The racing helmet is pretty sweet looking and Jason even added the CTF logo on one side. Jason asked T to autograph his helmet just below the CTF sticker. Wow. T happily autographed the helmet.

Jason signing T's "Art Car" brace

Travis putting on Jason's helmet

Jason having T autograph his racing helmet

Amazing thoughts from Jason..."T will be riding with me from now on". Simply amazing. I get tears in my eyes as I think about that statement. Our R4R drivers carry our kids on their cars, in their thoughts, in their cars, and more.

Travis pointing to his name/autograph on Jason's helmet

GMG Racing's Andrew Palmer with T

James Sofronas and T

The day continued on and Travis stopped by (and in) several garages before heading to the autograph session. He's so comfortable at a track, it is his second home. T continued to have his shirt autographed by several more drivers, some not even affiliated with CTF this season. We cheered on our teams in the GT race and this weekend was not the weekend for a CTF podium.

Travis and I stayed to watch the K&N West Series race...he literally spent 10.5 hours at the track today and had a blast (he didn't want to leave). I love how the track renews his spirit. :)

T's signed "Art Car" brace

Tonight's smile says it all.

Our deepest gratitude for all those who make this incredible Racing4Research such the positive experience for all involved...Jill Beck, the drivers, their teams, past supporters. In addition to the amazingly fun times at the track, Travis draws on these times when his NF journey gets rough, When Travis was having his leg put in the splint at the hospital (very painful), he talked to the doctors/nurses about his time at the 2014 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. He gets so much renewal and strength from the entire track experience, something no medicine could ever replicate.