Children’s patients inspire Chase Elliott’s Atlanta paint scheme
The special No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet features artwork from two Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patients.
ATLANTA (41NBC/WMGT) — Dawsonville native and NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott will race a special baseball-themed No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway next month to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
The Chase Elliott Foundation announced Wednesday that its “DESI9N TO DRIVE” program is returning for a 10th year in partnership with NAPA Auto Parts, Hendrick Motorsports and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Elliott’s race car and uniform will feature artwork imagined by two Children’s pediatric patients, 8-year-old Maximus Peace and 9-year-old Noelle Springer, for the NASCAR Cup Series race July 12.
According to the foundation, the DESI9N TO DRIVE program has raised and donated $545,500 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta since launching in 2017.
“The DESI9N TO DRIVE race weekend is one of my favorites of the season,” Elliott said. “It was really unbelievable to win the Atlanta Night Race last year at my home track in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy in the ninth year of doing this program with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Hopefully, we can defend our race title for NAPA and get back to victory lane and bring more awareness to the patient stories at Children’s.”
The foundation says this year’s program received dozens of sports and recreation-themed artwork submissions from Children’s patients. Maximus and Noelle’s sketches were combined into the baseball-themed paint scheme.
Maximus was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 2 and is insulin dependent. The foundation says he enjoys playing baseball, playing piano and spending time with his dogs.
Noelle was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 5. According to the foundation, she completed treatment more than a year ago and enjoys spending time with her older sisters.
Elliott and the two children unveiled the paint scheme before Wednesday night’s Atlanta Braves home game at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Park at Truist Park.
Race fans can also enter an online sweepstakes fundraiser for a chance to win a race weekend trip for two to meet Elliott. The sweepstakes runs from June 3 through July 13 at desi9ntodrive.org.
