Editor's note: The photo is from last year's Darlington Raceway playoff race with the 2021 "DESI9N TO DRIVE" paint scheme and designer Mary Frances Webb.
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – As part of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Chase Elliott Foundation has joined forces again with NAPA and Hendrick Motorsports for the sixth edition of its "DESI9N TO DRIVE" art collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s). For this weekend's NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 4, Elliott's race car and race uniform, from head to toe, will feature a design submitted by a cancer patient at Children's.
"We had such a great experience last year at Darlington with a full design makeover thanks to NAPA and Hendrick Motorsports that we wanted to do it again," said Elliott, a Dawsonville, Ga. native who is the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion. "I'm thrilled with how this program has grown over the years and how it brings attention to the quality of pediatric care that Children's Healthcare of Atlanta provides the region. I believe the fans are going to really like the design as much as I do."
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This year's DESI9N TO DRIVE program received dozens of submissions from patients at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's. A sketched design by 16-year-old Dani (Gamel) Cuevas of Sharpsburg, Georgia, was selected for the full-design makeover and will be depicted on Elliott’s Alpinestars racing suit, gloves, shoes, and Arai helmet in addition to a full paint out of the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Diagnosed with Leukemia at age 13, Cuevas' design showcases the Children’s facility dogs that helped her cope with cancer treatment and therapy during many visits to Children’s before becoming cancer free late last year.
"It is an honor to once again support the kids at Children’s and to bring awareness to a world class hospital," said Marti Walsh, vice president of marketing, NAPA. "The NAPA organization is proud of its relationship with the Chase Elliott Foundation and thrilled to support the good work it does in NAPA’s hometown of Atlanta."
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The DESI9N TO DRIVE program has raised and donated over $250,000 to Children’s from the auction of autographed racing shoes and corporate partner support in its first five years.
Elements of Elliott's racing uniform are being auctioned off via The NASCAR Foundation’s auction page on eBay beginning Monday, Aug. 29 and closing Thursday, Sept. 8, following the Darlington race. Each winning bidder will also receive an authenticated autograph by Elliott.
All auction proceeds will go to the Chase Elliott Foundation to benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s. In addition, a portion of each die-cast sold of the specially-designed race car will be donated with the auction proceeds.
"Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is very grateful that the Chase Elliott Foundation and DESI9N TO DRIVE art collaboration is showcasing the artistic talent of our patients receiving treatment at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's," said Beth Buursema, senior development director at the Children's Foundation. "Treating more than 520 new cancer patients in 2021, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center cares for more kids with cancer than anywhere else in Georgia or in the Southeast. This continued collaboration will bring hope to our patients while furthering our mission of making kids better today and healthier tomorrow."