DOVER, Del. – The atmosphere was festive Thursday at Dover International Speedway, which should’ve surprised no one in attendance at the latest installment of The NASCAR Foundation’s Speediatrics Fun Day Festival.
“Celebrations with a cause” – that’s one way to describe the fun-filled events, which have found several homes throughout the United States and are held in conjunction with NASCAR Cup Series race weekends. At each festival, children flock to participate in a variety of group-oriented activities that promote exercise and healthy lifestyles.
NASCAR drivers are always waiting for them, ready to make an afternoon special … and memorable.
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That was the case again on Thursday, with festival attendees and volunteers gathering at the speedway, as the iconic “Miles the Monster” statue loomed in the background. The five-driver group attending included the driver of the famed No. 24 Chevrolet, William Byron, as well as Ross Chastain, Vinnie Miller, Matt Mills and Reid Wilson. The drivers interacted with the foundation mascot, “Chase,” and nearly 80 children, the majority from the Dover YMCA.
“Having so many of our drivers join us for the Fun Day Festival is so very important to the success of the event – and the enjoyment of the children,” said NASCAR Foundation’s executive director Nichole Krieger. “We are so appreciative that they found time during a race week to take part in our Fun Day Festival.”
Children participated in four activities: the Pit Stop Challenge, Gas Can Relay, Goodyear Tire Race and “Looking for Lug Nuts,” a new activity. A highlight of those competitions was seeing Miller try to bump Mills, his NASCAR Xfinity Series teammate, off the course – and almost take him himself out of the action instead.
Children also received a NASCAR Foundation “fit kit” that included an activity book, jump rope and pedometer watch. The pedometers will facilitate participation in a “step challenge” to see who can walk the most steps between now and May 23 – with bragging rights on the line, as well as a chance to win prizes from The NASCAR Foundation.
The event at the “Monster Mile” marks the first time The NASCAR Foundation has hosted a Speediatrics Fun Day Festival in the Dover area. It is also the second in a series of six events that will take place throughout the 2019 season. The first event took place surrounding the March race weekend at ISM Raceway, with the remaining events scheduled for race weekends at Chicagoland Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Michigan International Speedway (August) and Martinsville Speedway.
To learn more, visit NASCARfoundation.org.