CONCORD, N.C. – This week, Alex Bowman unveiled the No. 88 Nationwide Children's Hospital Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 he will drive next month at Watkins Glen International.
Ashyzia Jackson, a North Carolina native and patient at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, was on hand to help the driver unveil the special scheme.
"It's so special to be in the Nationwide Children's Hospital car," Bowman said. "I actually got to drive the first Nationwide Children's Hospital car back in 2013 so it's so cool to still have a great relationship with Nationwide."
Since 2011, Nationwide has raised more than $27 million for the children's hospital. The paint scheme, which features the hospital's signature butterflies throughout the design, has the ultimate goal of raising awareness, funds and bringing more recognition to the hospital.
Bricen Thall, this year's Patient Champion, whose name will appear above the passenger door of the No. 88 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Chevrolet, will spend the day at the track with Bowman and the No. 88 team during race weekend at Watkins Glen.
"To have Bricen's name on the car means a lot," Bowman said. "Last time we had a Patient Champion's name on the car, we about won at Phoenix. Hopefully, it's more of that and we can finish the job but it's just such a special paint scheme. It means a lot to me to play a small role in supporting the hospital."
Bowman has visited the hospital twice, most recently in May, and is planning another visit in August before the race at Watkins Glen.
Watch Bowman and Jackson unveil the No. 88 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Chevrolet in NBC’s video above.