Teen who's a patient at Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati will attend Cup race
SPARTA, Ky. -- David Ragan will have a special guest with him when he hits the track this weekend at Kentucky Speedway.
Hunter Rogers, an avid NASCAR fan and patient at Shriners Hospital for Children -- Cincinnati, will be cheering on the No. 55 from the pit box during Sunday’s Quaker State 400. The 13-year-old was burned as an infant and will visit the hospital regularly for scar revisions and treatments until he reaches the age of 21.
Ragan, a Shriner and avid supporter of the hospital, was able to meet his guest of honor Thursday, when he visited the Cincinnati branch of the hospital. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver spent one-on-one time with Rogers, in addition to partaking in a variety of games and activities with the rest of the children.
The visit was part of Ragan’s awareness and fundraising initiative for the hospital, which Ragan named his official charity in 2008. He will continue to visit hospital branches throughout the United States and one lucky patient will be invited to accompany him at the race track following each gathering.
In 17 starts this season for three different race teams, Ragan has three top-15 finishes, including one fifth-place result at Martinsvillle.