CONCORD, N.C. -- This weekend, Chase Elliott’s race attire at Atlanta Motor Speedway will include some very special shoes.
Wednesday, the driver of the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 visited Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite to visit with patients and participate in a question-and-answer session with the children.
At the hospital, he also officially unveiled his children-designed "DESI9N TO DRIVE" racing shoes.
It’s the second annual art design collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where patients submitted color sketches depicting their favorite family activities.
"This has quickly become a favorite program of our foundation as it is a fun way to engage with the patients at Children’s and support the summer camp program," said Elliott, a Dawsonville, Georgia, native. "The response the shoes received last year was phenomenal and I expect the same this year. The designs are really fantastic."
Five designs were selected and replicated on racing shoes. Elliott will wear two different pairs throughout the weekend – one for practice and qualifying, and the other for the race – and all three of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates will also don the special kicks.
The shoes were designed for 7-year-old Emma Anderson, 10-year-old Reese Whitaker, 12-year-old Lucy Pittman, 10-year-old Lucas Hunter and 11-year-old Hyde Talbot.
All five pairs will be signed and put up for auction from Feb. 21 to March 2 at the NASCAR Foundation online auction site, benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Last year, the inaugural program raised more than $30,000.
For more information, visit ChaseElliott.com/foundation.