Chase Elliott Foundation's "DESI9N to DRIVE" Back for Eighth Season
For the eighth year, the Chase Elliott Foundation will partner with NAPA Auto Parts and Hendrick Motorsports for its "DESI9N TO DRIVE" art collaboration with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
As part of the program, Elliott will carry a special paint scheme, and race uniform in the September 8 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which were designed by two cancer patients at Children's.
“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is thankful to collaborate with the Chase Elliott Foundation for the eighth year of DESI9N TO DRIVE,” said Beth Buursema, Director of Corporate and Community Giving, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “We are very excited that two of our patients will have the chance to show off their creativity at an event that they will never forget. The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is one of the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders programs in the nation, caring for more than 8,900 pediatric patients every year. This continued collaboration will bring hope to our patients while furthering our mission of making kids better today and healthier tomorrow.”
Elliott is excited to carry the unique look into the Playoff race at his home track.
“The DESI9N TO DRIVE schemes are my favorite of the year and I always look forward to spending time with the patients before the race and hearing their stories and feeling their love for life,” said Elliott in a team release. “Children's Healthcare of Atlanta does so much good for the local community and continues to expand their facilities. To partner at my home track with Atlanta-based NAPA makes this even more special.”
Dozens of designs were submitted to the DESI9N TO DRIVE program from patients at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's, and in the end the two winning designs were created by Gavyn Giansiracusa, 11, and Logan Lee, 13.
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Giansiracusa, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, and went through surgery, radiation and chemo treatments the following year, decided to feature the things he loves most in his designs of Elliott's Alpinestars racing shoes and the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1; music, fireworks, and cake. Giansiracusa also has a fighter jet showcased in his design. Elliott, like Giansiracusa, enjoys aviation as Elliott is a licensed pilot.
Lee is cancer-free after a battle with Leukemia in 2023. The 13-year-old's designs, which also feature music, fireworks, and cake, are featured on Elliott's Alpinestars racing firesuit and his Arai helmet.
Race fans are encouraged to enter an online sweepstakes fundraiser to win part of Elliott's race-worn Atlanta uniform or a VIP race day meet and greet experience with the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion. All donations are to benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's.
“Partnering with Chase and his impactful foundation for another year to support Children’s is an honor,” said Emily Schneider, Senior Director of Marketing at NAPA. “We can’t wait to see the designs on the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and look forward to positive impact for Children’s following this year’s sweepstakes.”
Along with the design hitting the track, Children's will have the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art pediatric hospital in Atlanta on September 29. The new Arthur M. Blank Hospital will feature a 2-million-square-foot layout, making it one of the largest children's hospitals in the nation.
Photo Credit: Hendrick Motorsports
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