Dorothy Kelly   NEWS

“Racing For Smiles” was developed specifically to make dreams come true for many young race fans that are seriously ill with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Our program’s children are patients of Shand’s Children's Hospital at the University of Florida and the Children’s Miracle Network in Gainesville Fl.

Florida’s Inaugural RFS event was held on Nov. 8, 2002 at Ocala Speedway and was hosted by Kelly Racing along with our partner team Smith Racing. The participating children Jacob, 11 yrs old and Andew 9 yrs, along with their entire families were treated to an evening of Short Track Racing excitement with our teams, rather then their usual routines filled with hospitals, doctors, and pain.

Jacob and Andrew arrived at the speedway with no idea of the activities that were to commence. Once the boys arrived we presented them both with their baskets of Goodies. Included in these baskets were their official ‘Racing For Smiles” T-Shirts and Baseball caps with their names on the back, naming them our Honorary Crew Chiefs for the day. Also, included were T-Shirts donated from our Local Speed Shop along with numerous NASCAR and product stickers. NASCAR puzzles and fanny packs also filled the baskets.

The boys with eager eyes upon entering our pits, were coaxed into being patient just long enough to change into their track attire. Then it was time for the boys to cut loose! Jacob and Andrew were both anxious to head in different directions, but both quickly realized they both wanted to climb in the cars. We quickly saw that this evening for the boys would not be planned in a timely and orderly fashion. So we threw out the schedule and let it rip!

The boys enjoyed the cars, and we shot more pictures of those smiling faces then we could believe. The boys finally emerged from the cars long enough to ask for us to crank them up. The looks on those 2 beautiful faces when the cars finally fired were amazing. The families even got into the pit crew routine, my car, was just painted in the new RFS paint scheme and the major lettering on the car had been completed just 1 hr. prior to the boys arrival. When they both arrived EARLY, we had not yet finished placing some of the smaller decals on the car. So the dad’s took over and finished lettering the car, checked our tire pressure and clocked our Hot Laps. It was tremendous. They were great at it too!

Next on our so called schedule was introducing the boys to all our Officials and taking them to every pit and driver for them to autograph their Shirts and Caps. The drivers were fabulous and the boys were covered with no room for another autograph. By the end the boys were bending over and contorting their bodies in ways unimaginable , so they could make room for one more driver to sign their shirts.

After our chicken wing feast, it was time for the guests of Honor to attend our drivers meeting with us. They were formally introduced again to all in attendance, and cheers were given from the drivers.

Finally racing action began! The racing was great as usual and all the drivers seemed on their best behavior. The super late model race was next on the card for Andrew, I lead him out on the track surface and placed him in the Pace car, with checkered flag in hand, he waved it to the crowd on each hot lap. The race began and their were many cautions for many laps, but with each pass Andrew made in the pace car, you could see those big bright eyes, the smiling face, and 2 thumbs up, all the way around on every lap.

At the conclusion of that race, we all met on victory lane for Andrews presentation of his Racing For Smiles Trophy, because after all these boys are the true victors. The race winners were wonderful and requested the boys to be included in their win pictures.

Jacob was on the card next for the Sportsman race. Our season finale and feature event race.

Again, we escorted Jacob to the surface, got him all settled into the car, and gave him the checkered flag. Again, it was the waving flag for many laps, and those same innocent big bright eyes and that tremendous smile. Jacob, was seriously injured in a major traffic accident at 3 months old and is still undergoing surgeries to repair is body. The 2 thumbs up weren’t as easy for him physically as for Andrew, so by the end of the race those thumbs up became fists of power, but still held high as the caution laps continued. Victory lane brought Jacob, his trophy and pictures again with the Sportsman winners.

Unfortunately it was not one of our “Racing For Smiles” cars in Victory lane that night, but it was better then any win could ever be. Those boys smiling faces, eyes filled with amazement and joy. The parents whose pride radiated the night and the fans, I don't think there was a dry eye in those stands. rough and tough drivers all standing in line to honor these kids. I have goose bumps as I am typing this, I am not a media relation expert or an author but, I am a driver who wanted to make a few children smile give these boys and their families something special to remember about the world of Motor Sports. I now have the most precious memories to hold dear to my heart and hopefully so will they.

On Behalf of Kelly Racing and Smith Racing Teams, I hope you have enjoyed this article as much as I have while writing it, because remembering the feeling that First Night in Ocala and those first two smiling faces with those two thumbs up, will never be forgotten.

For More information and pictures please visit our website http://devoted.to/race