MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- It's not every day that dozens of Sprint Cup Series drivers enter a room and aren't the ones creating the spectacle, but that was the case for 2016's "Catwalk for a Cause" hosted by the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation on Wednesday night.
Who were the stars, then? Davis, Chloe, Braylon, Natalia, Sam, BreeLee, Ava, Leland and Brynn were, of course.
The fashion show's guests of honor -- all children -- are battling cancer, something that hits home for Truex and his longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex, who just completed chemotherapy in January after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2014.
The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, along with its partnernship with Levine Children's Hospital, hosts "Catwalk" each year to affirm its commitment to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.
Before the seventh annual fashion show began, Pollex got up on stage, with Truex beside her, to mention that the night was also one to remember four of the heroes from last year's show who had lost their battles with cancer between the 2015 and 2016 events.
"We lost four of our kids this year. ... We are going to honor them," Pollex said.
Elijah Aschbrenner's presence was felt with several audience members sporting the bright red hair with which he lit up the 2015 event. Elijah passed away November 10.
Once the 2016 event got underway, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Joey Logano and Danica Patrick were among the drivers who swapped their firesuits for cocktail attire and waltzed down the runway, each holding the hand of one of the nine children battling cancer. Although seeing Junior dancing on stage was easily a highlight of the night, the infectious smiles of the children stole the show.
One of the night's most special moments occurred when Pollex took off her long, blonde wig and walked down the stage with her natural, short pixie cut -- her hair returning after the treatments she just completed -- with the utmost confidence. The entire room applauded.
The night included a pre-show raffle as well as a live auction when drivers tried to outbid one another.
To top it all off, the event raised $370,000 (compared to last year's $253,000), according to Sandy Plemmons, director of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation.