COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Before heading to Kentucky Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a very special pit stop.
The driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet SS spent his Thursday in Columbus, Ohio, where his primary sponsor Nationwide is headquartered.
As Nationwide's guest, he visited Nationwide Children’s Hospital to start the morning.
"It's very encouraging, what happens here in the hospital," Earnhardt said during his visit. "The staff are incredible, very positive -- really reinforcing these kids with a lot of confidence and that's what those kids needs to be able to go through what they're going to go through every day."
Earnhardt met with dozens of children, including some he had met on previous visits, and checked in on their progress.
He even hand-delivered a special Victory Bell for the hospital.
"The patients are awesome to talk to and to get to know," he said. "And we donated a Victory Bell, much like we have at Hendrick Motorsports -- and two of the kids graduated today and rang it today. So, it’s awesome to know that thing is getting some use."
The memorable visit made for yet another reason Earnhardt is proud to drive the No. 88 Nationwide Children's Hospital Chevrolet SS this weekend at Kentucky.
"It's a great opportunity for us to raise awareness, celebrate the kids -- and we'll have some kids and the families out at the racetrack," he said.
All season long, Earnhardt has been helping support the hospital through The Dale Jr. Foundation's Driven to Give Gloves campaign.
He has worn gloves accented with different colors to draw attention to various illnesses -- including gold this month to raise awareness about hearing impairment.
The gloves are then auctioned off to raise funds for Nationwide Children's Hospital's clinical and research programs.
"It's something we've done for a couple years and we're getting more and more creative as we go each season," he explained. "I love the fact that Nationwide wants to partner with our foundation and be able to work with the hospital."
Nationwide Children’s is America’s largest pediatric hospital and research center with all care provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
"It’s a great treat for me to go there," Earnhardt said. "I look forward to going back.”
For behind-the-scenes photos from Earnhardt's visit, click here.