Make-A-Wish^® Kid Bowled Over by Jeff Gordon Wish at Brickyard

By Justin Schmid

Spectators at the 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard race might have wondered who was riding with Jeff Gordon in the Chevrolet pickup truck taking the champion racer to his car. Maybe they thought 11-year-old Derek was Gordon’s protégée, an up-and-coming racer being primed for future glory on the track.

Racing might be in Derek’s future, but on that July day he was the latest in the long list of kids Jeff Gordon has delighted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . Watching Gordon aim for another victory was just one part of an incredible weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that amazed Derek, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Derek’s wish experience started with a trip from his home in Nebraska to Indianapolis. Things got rolling quickly when Derek and his family attended the Jeff Gordon Bowling Tournament, where he first met Gordon and started his autograph collection. The next day was a special treat for Derek and many other wish kids like him – it was Make-A-Wish^® Kids Day at the famous track known as the Brickyard. Derek and the other wish kids spent a morning taking a tour of the track’s garage before joining Gordon for a meet-and-greet. The day wrapped up with a special reception hosted by Chevrolet.

And then it was Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!

In the motor sports world, that’s race day. Derek’s day started with a police-escorted bus ride to the speedway. He then was invited into a yellow Allstate Corvette pace car to take a lap around the historic 2½-mile oval. Before the green flag, Derek had time to join a driver’s Q & A session at the Revolution Stage. There, Derek was able to get autographs from other NASCAR Nextel Cup stars.

Race time was approaching, and Derek was lucky enough to ride with Gordon around the track in the Chevy truck. After waving to all the nearly 250,000 fans who’d packed the Brickyard, Derek returned to the GM suite to watch some racing.

“What an unbelievable experience!” said Derek’s dad, Darin.

The entire family could see Gordon’s desire to create an amazing experience for Derek, from the first meeting at the bowling tournament to the lap around the storied speedway’s track. From the first handshake to the checkered flag, it was a weekend that put Derek in the winner’s circle.

For four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, victory lane is the place where hard work, determination and experience have combined for an amazing number of wins. Off the track, Jeff seeks to help children and their families gain their own victories over chronic and often debilitating illnesses through the work of The Jeff Gordon Foundation.

This Foundation, established in 1999, primarily provides support for their designated charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . The Jeff Gordon Foundation also offers support to charitable organizations through the Foundation’s Grant Program.

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