Welcome to the Plaid #19

Tony Makes A Childs Dream Come True

Don't let it be said all drivers don't care.

This is what we have been hearing more and more as ticket prices sky rocket and drivers become less and less accessible. However, I think this story may change your mind about one driver. I know it did for many of us.

The week of the Richmond race was very busy for the Plaid Racing. I should say the weeks leading up to, the Richmond race were very busy. This is why I am glad we have such a great team. While I am some others were tied up working with BBY on the one event, others were given the task of working on something special for one of our own.

It was Matthew dream to meet two drivers Elliott Sadler and Tony Stewart. As I am sure you can tell from his attire in almost every picture we have he spends his time cheering on the Orange, Black and White. (This does present quite a color clash on the team), but hey, we wouldn't have it any other way. So the job was turned over to my team Stewart fans to get it so that Matthew could meet Tony, nothing fancy, that would overwhelm him, just something so that he didn't have to stand in the crowds and noise which are just too much for him.

The response from the Admin and Staff of the Home Depot, Glen Allen, VA (Short Pump), the staff of JGR and even Tony himself was outstanding and we can't thank them enough.

A few days before Matthew was to meet Tony his mother and I had taken him to the store so that everyone could meet him. He saw the Tony Stewart sign and was thrilled. We knew at this point what was going to happen, but he didn't, so we had to hide our smiles. Just that morning a box had arrived from JGR with a motorized #20, a hat and a shirt for Matthew, but I was holding that to give to him at BBY right before we left to take him for his surprise.

There isn't much to say except that while waiting for Tony all of us standing there in Blue and Gold were much more nervous and anxious than the one sitting in the little #20 firesuit. What happens next was just wonderful. Tony knelt down to Matthew and spent many special minutes with him, talking, laughing and making this little boy smile. He even placed an autistic bracelet on his wrist which Matthew gave him to match his. Soon Tony had to get to work for the others that had been waiting all day, but not before one more good-bye and a "oh let me sign your hat too".

So while he may be aggressive on track and have what some call a temper of fire, that day I gained a whole new respect for this man, who took just a moment from his busy hectic schedule to make this little boy's day.

From all of us here at the Plaid Racing thank you Tony and the Home Depot!

Copyright Notice:
All photos were taken by the Plaid Racing during the RIR race weekend. These photos are the property of the Plaid Racing. Exclusive permission is granted for use to the Sadler Fan Club and Winstead Motorsports. These photos may not be reproduced or tranferred without the express written consent of the Plaid Racing.

A Tony Meeting

Don't let it be said all drivers don't care.

This is what we have been hearing more and more as ticket prices sky rocket and drivers become less and less accessible. However, I think this story may change your mind about one driver. I know it did for many of us.

The response from the Admin and Staff of the Home Depot, Glen Allen, VA (Short Pump), the staff of JGR and even Tony himself was outstanding and we can't thank them enough.

So while he may be aggressive on track and have what some call a temper of fire, that day I gained a whole new respect for this man, who took just a moment from his busy hectic schedule to make this little boy's day.

From all of us here at the Plaid Racing thank you Tony and the Home Depot!