Racing4Research in Utah

Usually these posts appear shortly after the weekend at the track. This time took longer as I tried to gather my thoughts. Typically, T separates himself from his NF issues at the race track; however, this time the NF started stealing his joy and invading his "safe space". When Travis felt good during the weekend, the laughter and smiles captured many in the paddock, stands, and surrounding areas.

Thankfully, the Pirelli World Challenge series arrived at Miller Motorsports Park the weekend before school started. The kids and I spent most of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the racetrack (Scott missed out due to providing weather support for a wildfire on the Montana/Idaho border). Emilee Tominovich brought delicious donuts to the NIH for Travis' visit to close out the Peg-interferon clinical trial. We knew then that she would most likely be at Miller for the TCA race in August and told her we would bring Banbury Cross Donuts for the team. Donuts, racing, and 3 of T's favorite people all in place...he counted down the days until race day.

Barrett, Travis, Nolan, Jill, and G enjoying Banbury Cross Donuts.

Friday mainly brought practices, qualifying for the first TC/TCA/TCB race on Friday afternoon. The generosity of Karl Thompson and Compass360 Racing (C360) once again appeared at the track as they welcomed our family with open arms. Karl asked T if he would like Compass360 Racing stickers on T's powerchair, T said yes and helped pick out the best placement. ;)

Karl adding the first of 2 Compass360 Racing stickers to T's ride.

T's chair next in line for Emilee's car, if needed.

Travis enjoys visiting other garages, seeing driver friends, and making new driver friends. We traveled to see Alec Udell, the driver of the No 17 Euroworld Motorsports/Amsource Capital/Panterh Pipeline GMG Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car that proudly features the Children's Tumor Foundation's logo. Travis asked him great questions including: How fast does your car go? How fast can you change a tire? How fast can you put gas in the car?

Alec Udell and T having fun talking racing

We also saw Mike Skeen, a former driver and continued supporter for Racing4Research, in the next garage stall over. Travis asked Mike to sign his shirt, as T did with most drivers. We truly have great support.

Mike Skeen signing Travis' shirt

The time arrived for the first TC/TCA/TCB race of the weekend and race time for Emilee and Ron Yarab in the C360 cars. Travis loves watching his favorite drivers/cars/teams race and racing along with them. Unfortunately, his overall discomfort and pain took it's toll on him throughout the day along with the heat. The medicine helped, but T's eyes told a different story than what we usually observe at the track.

The first of 3 TC/TCA/TCB races

We arrived at Miller early Saturday morning to just in time for T to wish Emilee good luck on her 2nd TC/TCA/TCB race of the weekend and 1st of the day. Emilee drove an amazing race with an incredible start. While not a podium finish, Emilee received the "Best Standing Start" award. Maybe T passed along some extra race magic before the start.

T giving Emilee a high 5 before the start of Saturday morning's race

We returned to the C360 rig while we waited for the Children's Tumor Foundation group to arrive. During this time the crew reviewed the in-car footage with Emilee from the morning's race. Anyone who knows T knows his competitiveness for winning and racing. T's response to getting by a car in front of Emilee..."Turn 'em". T heard several times throughout the weekend something to the effect of you're a NASCAR fan. ;) I guess that goes along with T's advice later in the day, "Turn 'em and flip 'em". Hoping T's racing strategies will change as he gets older.

T offering racing "advice" while watching film with Emilee.

Travis enjoyed hanging out with one of his best buddies, G. They created a "store" filled with iPad baked goodies which they "sold" to anyone who would listen. G understands Travis and helped in getting T's signature smile and racetrack demeanor to return. Thank you G!!!

T and G "selling" their dessert creations.

T usually enjoys meeting drivers during the autograph sessions at the track. Unfortunately, the heat and NF took a toll on his spirit that etched at T's "safe space" at the track. The drivers amaze us with their generosity and consideration, one (Marc Sherrin) even mentioned to T that he knew Jason Hart (T's driver and friend we first met in 2013 at Daytona) and Jason told him to look out for T. Thanks Jason!! Thankfully we saw Marc later the day and he met T with smiles and racetrack running in his veins.

So many drivers, teams, crews, those associated with racing, race broadcasters, and more open their hearts and share their love of racing with our CTF families. Jill created an amazing experience for all and people on both sides of the experience leave taking home great, new memories. Once a R4R driver/team, always a R4R supporter.

T and his buddy Jake. 

B in the No 71 Compass260 Racing/Children's Tumor Foundation
Honda Civic Si driven by Ron Yarab

CTF group learning about mounting and balancing race tires 

Nolan getting a selfie with Ryan Eversley

Alec Udell finished first in his class during Saturday's race and he generously shared the joy with the CTF families remaining at the track. While at the podium celebrations and visiting the garages, Travis asked any driver near him to autograph his shirt and then proceeds to hand them the sharpie. The boy knows how to get things done.

Travis admiring Alec Udell's 1st place trophy.

Many of the autographs T collected over the weekend
Top (L-R): Alec Udell, Karl Thompson, Emilee Tominovich
Middle (L-R): Emilee, Ron Yarab, Ron's wife Susan
Bottom (L-R): Jill Beck, ?, Johnny O'Connell

Later that afternoon, C360 completed their races at Miller Motorsports Park. We remain thankful for their support, love, compassion, and willingness to share their passion for racing and create memorable experiences for our CTF families, our family, and T. These times provide opportunities to "escape" from the NF and an emotional healing like none other.

T at Emilee's No 72 Compass360/Children's Tumor Foundation Honda Civic Si

Silly fun with Driver/Dr Ron Yarab 

Wonder triplets activate

T signing Emilee's shirt, she loves these kids

T with is favorite girl, Jill.

T feeling much better during this visit with Marc Sherrin,
notice the Sharpie in T's hand

We returned to the track on Sunday to soak in more races before school started the next day. We spent a few minutes with Ryan Eversley and Alec Udell before their last race of the weekend at Miller Motorsports Park. While T wanted to be at the track, the pain and discomfort returned as well. Fortunately our drivers know enough about NF to realize our NF Heroes face big battles.

T watching Ryan Eversley add another sticker to his power chair.

T's actual face at the track. :(
Ryan loves our NF Heroes and plays along.

Wishing Alec Udell good luck in his last race of the weekend.
T missing some of his track shine.

T created many memories at the racetrack throughout the weekend, for him and the teams. These experiences sustain him during the difficult times that come with his journey with NF and he draws strength. To see the NF take some of T's "safe space" at the track brought tears to my eyes. We remain ever thankful for Jill Beck as the "driver" behind the great Racing4Research program and the opportunities for our NF Heroes. The opportunity to meet others, the opportunity to meet race car drivers and teams, the opportunity to sit in race cars, the opportunity to escape the realities from NF, the opportunity for family fun times, the opportunity to be...