national programs
Racing4Research: Overcoming Adversity Both On and Off the Track Perfect weather greeted more than 150 NF Heroes, their families, and guests at this year's running of the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona. The event marked the start of the sixth year of the Racing4Research fundraising program, and the team turned in a resilient performance worthy of the young NF Heroes they were racing to support. After running as high as second in the opening minutes of the day-long race, the team slipped into a race of mixed fortunes that saw the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports/Racing4Research Porsche GT3 team - drivers Daniel Graeff, Patrick Long, Patrick Lindsey, Spencer Pumpelly, and Jason Hart - encounter virtually every type of hardship the Rolex 24 At Daytona can throw at a team and drivers. Between a wheel issue on a pit stop, a three minute stop-and-hold penalty for an improper wave-around, and heavy contact in Daytona’s “Bus Stop,” the No. 73 was dealt a deck of cards that would ordinarily be difficult to overcome. Still, on every occasion, the team bounced back and made repairs to keep the car running and see the checkered flag in an eventual 16th place finish. “For us, it was all about finishing for these kids, our NF Heroes, who have had many days like we had and will have many more. So there’s a greater purpose here than just glory and fame. These kids ground you and humble you and remind you what it’s about, and it’s just great to be around them,” said Patrick Long, Porsche factory driver and first year Racing4Research driver. While results on track were mixed, off track the NF Heroes and their families enjoyed a wonderful weekend in sunny Daytona Beach,
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Florida. The program's traditional Friday Night Team & Family Dinner featured the drivers of the No. 73 and No. 72 teams and was hosted by Justin Bell, Racing4Research driver and SPEED on-air personality. Saturday started bright and early with breakfast at the suites along pit road, followed by a private meet-and-greet and photo session with the drivers and crew. The No. 73 car featured the names of more than 100 NF Heroes from around the country, and the Heroes in attendance signed the car prior to the race. Capping off the weekend was news that the 2013 campaign had raised more than $670,000 for NF research. NF Dad James Lee summed up the weekend best, "Going down to the Rolex 24 race in Daytona was amazing. My kids were extraordinarily excited about meeting the drivers and being so close to the cars. My favorite moments were seeing the drivers and crew stop, just a few hours before such an important event, to talk with the children. Not just sign autographs and move on, but really interact. I watched one of the crew sitting with a little boy, asking where he was from and how he was enjoying his vacation. Another driver was given a good luck coin by a little girl; he asked her to sign it and taped it to the car. Two hours before the race, my daughter asked if she could sit in the car; they let her in without hesitation. In addition, it is always great to meet the NF families, and see the CTF folks who have become an extension of our family over the years. It was wonderful to meet all of these people doing so much to help simply because they can. These are the people that made it a memorable trip, and reinvigorated me to fight another year."