ATLANTA, GA. – The Chase Elliott Foundation is continuing its partnership with NAPA and Hendrick Motorsports for the ninth edition of its “DESI9N TO DRIVE” art collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (“Children’s”). Launched in 2017, the DESI9N TO DRIVE program has raised and donated nearly half a million dollars to Children’s over its first eight years.
Elliott's No. 9 race car and race uniform, from head to toe, will feature a design by a pediatric cancer patient at Children's for the NASCAR Cup Series Saturday night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 28th. Race fans can 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 Chase, with donations benefiting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s, which opened on a new hospital campus last fall.
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“Every year, the DESI9N TO DRIVE program reminds me why I love what I do,” said Chase Elliott, a Dawsonville, Ga. native. “These kids pour their hearts into their artwork, and getting to meet them and see their creativity up close is incredibly inspiring. Partnering with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and NAPA at my home track always makes this one of the most meaningful weekends of the season.”
This year's DESI9N TO DRIVE program received dozens of Dream Big-themed submissions from patients at Children's. The selected design was sketched by 11-year-old Rhealynn Mills.
After obtaining an injury in softball, Rhealynn and her family went to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for a second opinion. In October of 2022, she was diagnosed with Metastatic Osteosarcoma and soon after underwent amputation of her right leg. Nineteen surgeries later and fitted with a prosthetic leg, Rhealynn hopes to return to the softball fields soon.
Rhealynn’s car design depicts her dream of becoming a nurse one day working with pediatric patients like herself and contributing towards finding a cure for cancer. Her design is filled with powerful symbols of hope and healing, including pediatric oncology references, gold childhood cancer ribbons, a stethoscope, heart monitors, and bandages. The No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet is brightly decorated with clouds of encouragement like “Cure Cancer” and “Helping Kids Like Me,” and features the Bible verse Psalm 46:5: “God is within you, you will not fail,” capturing her strength and faith on the road to recovery and future care.
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“It’s a privilege to once again team up with Chase and his foundation to support the incredible work being done at Children’s,” said Emily Schneider, Senior Director of Marketing at NAPA. “We’re excited to unveil the inspiring designs on the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet and are proud to play a part in driving awareness and support through this year’s sweepstakes.”