MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Throughout the two weeks of racing in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR community takes part in several charitable activities.
The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation hosts the Catwalk for a Cause fashion show for pediatric cancer. Jimmie Johnson’s Foundation hosted a 5K race the day after the Sprint All-Star Race. Speedway Children’s Charities hosts its annual gala.
Among the various charitable activities, Tommy Baldwin Racing had 10 area families in its shop Wednesday with team members and volunteers to build specially fitted cars for children with mobility issues to help make it easier for them to get around.
This is one of the newer events. Wednesday marked the second year it has been done at the race shop. The project is done in conjunction with Toy State, a sponsor of Regan Smith’s car for TBR.
The Go Baby Go event provides modified ride-on toy cars to young children with disabilities, including Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome.
Smith worked on a car for 4-year-old Scarlett, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
“She has a walker, but it’s not as easy for her to get around,’’ said Scarlett’s father, Aaron McKibbin. “Now, she can go out and play … be a little more like a normal kid. She can play with the (family’s six) dogs, chase the dogs. She loves the dogs and chases them around.’’
Smith, new to the team this season, experienced this event for the first time.
“Every kid that has gotten in one (car) is just smiling,’’ he said. “That’s something we get to experience every day from our son being fortunate with his health that some of the kids don’t get to experience every day.’’
