2015 Racing4Research Daytona

Wow…where to begin?!? I think I write that each time we return from the track and that’s a good thing. :) Travis really has a great feel for the track and the different activities throughout the weekend of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. As the teams spend their time prepping and competing in this endurance race, they get a taste of the endurance Travis needs to face the daily challenges relating to NF. This year all 5 of us were able to be at the track to enjoy the festivities and cheer on our favorite cars and drivers. We spent Thursday on Daytona Beach soaking up vitamin D by the ocean.

Travis at the track on Friday (1/23)

Friday morning we headed to the track to start the weekend of racing. We first watched the final qualifying for the Magnus Racing No 44 Flex-Box/Children’s Tumor Foundation Porsche 911 GT America. Travis was excited to see his favorite girl Jill Beck and meet the first R4R female driver, Emilee Tominovich. Travis received a signed visor shield from Emilee at the end of the Utah Grand Prix and she hadn’t really met him yet. It was great to meet her in person finally.

Travis and Jill Beck

Travis with Emilee Tominovich

Compass360 Racing entered 4 cars in the shorter race Friday afternoon and continued their amazing support for Racing4Research. We stopped by each of the cars and talked with the drivers. It was great connecting with the drivers and for them to see the NF Heroes they race for during these events. (Paul Holton, Kyle Gimple, Ray Mason, Pierre Kleinubing, Jim McGuire, Nico Rondet, Benoit Theetge, and Donald Theetge ) All along the way, Travis showed the drivers his cool brace with the picture of the 2014 Art Car, they all realized they shared a passion for racing like Travis.

The family with Paul Holton (l) and Kyle Gimple (r)

The family with Pierre Kleinubing

Travis with Jim McGuire and Nico Rondet

Travis with Halston, the great guy who provided the picture for T's brace

As we were finishing up our time on the grid, we were introduced to Afghanistan veteran Staff Sgt. Liam Dwyer. He is a race car driver with a prosthetic leg due to a war injury. He and Travis connected and both wanted a picture with each other. I am continually amazed at moments like this that happen on the track, we all were perfectly placed to where we need to be at that time.

T with Liam Dwyer

Travis found nachos for lunch, much overdue for him, and the race began. We stayed for part of the race and then headed to the hotel to get ready for that night’s team dinner. Storm clouds were approaching, luckily the rain held off until later in the evening. Travis shared that his favorite part is watching the races and writing his name on the car without getting in trouble.

Waking Travis up on race day is very easy. We got ready and made our way to the track for the morning events and the start of the race at 2:11p (EST). As we walked to the garage to see and sign the car, the rain started. Luckily none of us got too wet and the rain stopped quickly. Travis’ face lit up again when he saw his name on the Magnus Racing No 44 Flex-Box/Children’s Tumor Foundation Porsche 911 GT America. He got to sit in the car and chat with the drivers before the time came for him to sign the car. Several members of the Magnus Racing team connected with Travis last year and one lady, Stefanie, came out to meet T in person. The teams that partner with CTF, drivers included, really treat our NF Heroes like rock stars.

Andy Lally, Martin Ragginger, Travis, John Potter, Marco Seefried

Travis signing his name on the car

Travis' signature (circled to protect the bumper)

Travis with Stefanie, one his fans from Magnus Racing

Travis with Willie from
Park Place Motorsports

Something happens with Travis as he writes his name on the car, something special as he places a part of him on a race car that zooms around his favorite speedway, Daytona. Travis signed the car and added the circle around his name to protect that part of the car. Remember, he did that at the 2014 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona and his name was NOT scraped. The smile on his face at the track is one of sheer joy and contentment…he’s in his zone. Time came for the team picture and then off to seer other teams that support Racing4Research, including our team from the past 2 years, Park Place Motorsports. While at Park Place we saw Justin Bell (2012 R4R Utah) and then some of the wonderful drivers and crew. Travis showed Patrick Lindsey, one of our 2013 and 2014 drivers, his brace and had Patrick sign that as well. :)

Justin Bell and Travis
(you hear Justin's voice on Fox Sports and his passion for our NF Heroes)

Patrick Lindsey signing Travis' brace

We toured several more garages while the drivers were in their mandatory meetings. We got up close to one of the most interesting cars on the track, the delta wing (click here). The autograph session quickly rolled around and Travis enjoyed getting autographs from past drivers of CTF cars and drivers he’s met for the first time. Several teams even asked to have their pictures taken with Travis.

The next stop was the actual track at Daytona as we signed the track and sat on the banking for the driver introductions. Yes, T’s power chair made it up that steep embankment…with power and a push from behind. We walked the grid, even saw Liam Dwyer, and spent a few minutes with Magnus Racing. Andy Lally, one of the 4 drivers for the 44, even joked that Travis should circle the entire car, underneath, the engine, transmission, anywhere he could reach and name. Little did we know that T should have done that…

Travis signing the start/finish line

Family photo (notice Andy Lally photo bombing us)

Travis with driver and Dr. Jim Norman
(photo by Blake Blakely)

The race started and we made our way to the Pit Road Patio Suites. Travis loved watching his favorite cars and drivers zoom around the track. He also enjoyed racing his cars while watching his cars race on the track. Later in the day we made our way, thanks to Karl Thompson and his great driving skills ;) , over to the ferris wheel after a quick stop to view the new Compass360’s Audi race car. Travis loved seeing the track during the day and even found the carnival cars to ride.

After a swim break at the hotel with his brothers and Scott, Travis was ready for some night racing action. Luckily the No 44 was back on the track then after a gear box failure and change. Porsche had a tent near our suite which included a Porsche racing simulator. Thanks to Karl’s help, Travis was able to “race” around the track. Now, Travis’ idea of racing in a game is very different from others. You could see the visible pain on Karl’s face as Travis was intentionally crashing into things and the car was quickly being demolished. It was said "Taking a break from the webcast... Found T and Karl in Porsche hospitality doing much harm to a virtual RSR :) "

Karl learning about T's unconventional "racing" style
(photo by Jill Beck)

Travis quickly fell asleep and was eager to return to the track Sunday morning. We saw the No 73 car leave the track when we pulled in, not a sight you want to see. After we arrived at the suites, we noticed the No 44 Magnus Racing Porsche was not on the track. Nolan, Barrett, and I went to see the cars and quickly learned the No 44 hit an opossum during the night, see the story here and one with pictures here. Fortunately, the No 44 was able to return to the track to complete the race in P11. Not only did Magnus Racing want to finish the race for their team, they wanted to finish knowing the impact it would have on Travis and the other NF Heroes.

This year they had all the cars return to the garage after the race, so no pictures from pit lane with the car. Travis immediately checked on his signature at the back of the car and to his dismay discovered it had been removed sometime overnight (most likely due to being cleaned overnight). He enjoyed talking with the drivers at the end of the race and listening to the story about the opossum.

Travis checking on his name

Travis and Andy Lally after the race

Travis and Jill after the race

The group of NF Heroes and their drivers after the race

Travis wanted to make sure he gave Meadow a hug.

We met Andrew Palmer at the 2014 R4R event in Utah when he was racing with GMG Racing (blog details here). Andrew finished 1st in his class and we joined him briefly in Victory Lane. He came over to give us a hug before it was his team's turn at the podium. Another example of how those who drive for R4R continue to support our NF Heroes. Thank you! 

Andrew Palmer in Victory Lane

T sleeping at the conclusion of the race weekend

Reflections on the 2015 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona...

There is a healing in Travis that occurs at the track that no medicine can replicate. The smiles on his (and other NF Heroes) face are ones I only see at the track. Travis' element remains at the track and his spirit renews like nothing else. Most of the time he is absolutely beaming. So many drivers, crew, and race team individuals treat our NF Heroes and their families like family. T's passion for racing radiates from him and is easily viewed by others. Several times we heard T referred to as the kid with the cool brace. The drivers that knew about it showed their teammates. For this moment in time, Travis "escapes" his NF issues and immerses himself in the racing scene. This year I noticed him walking around more without his power chair and/or walker. He truly is in his "happy place". Many thanks to Jill Beck and CTF for creating opportunities like this for our NF Heroes, no words can describe the positive, healing impact on Travis and our family.