The Nationwide Children’s Hospital NASCAR 200 starts today at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, just in case the sound of roaring engines yesterday wasn’t enough advance notice. The event is significant in a few ways.
This is the first time in Mid-Ohio’s 52-year history for the NASCAR Nationwide series to take the course. It is also an inaugural event. Nationwide Insurance created the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 (NCH 200), naming the hospital as the title sponsor of the race. And finally, a young man, 13-year-old Grant Reed of Bellville, will be the race’s grand marshal.
“This is the first year we’ve been the beneficiary,” stated hospital foundation vice-president Niki Shafer, “Lucky for us, Nationwide Insurance has been doing it for a number of years. They are the series sponsors, but we are the beneficiaries. Nationwide has been a great friend of the hospital for decades.”
Nationwide has been such a good support to the hospital that several years ago they gave $50 million to the formerly named Children’s Hospital of Columbus. The hospital was accordingly renamed Nationwide Children’s Hospital in celebration of Nationwide’s philanthropy.
“We really want to emphasize that Nationwide [hospital] treats children from all over the nation because of the expertise of our physicians and scientists. As a result, parents and physicians seek us out for treatment,” Shafer added.
What both the hospital and NASCAR do well is care about patients and fans, respectively. Toward that end, the partnership with Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is making a significant impact to benefit children’s health care and to make some of the hospital’s patients and former patients “stars” this weekend.
Grant Reed is the local cancer survivor who made national headlines when he named his cancer “Michigan,” indicating his determination to beat it. Reed, who just turned 13, was bound to be an Ohio State fan with both of his parents Ohio State graduates. Troy and Denise Reed were members of The Ohio State University marching band and actually got engaged at a football game. And Troy Reed is no stranger to Mid-Ohio. He served as a firefighter and medic at the course.
Reed was treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. His main responsibility as grand marshal is to deliver the four most famous words in motorsports – “Drivers, start your engines,” on Saturday.
“Grant helped us announce the race date last year so it’s fitting that he’s going to give the command at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 this weekend,” said Craig Rust, Mid-Ohio president. “He’s got a clear checkup, so we thought what better person to have as our grand marshal. We’re thrilled about it.”
Dr. Steve Allen, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, will join Grant as a pre-race participant and is waving the green flag as the honorary starter for Saturday’s race.
But Reed isn’t the only young patient who is a “star” this weekend. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champions were identified from the hometown or current city of residence of several NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers. A number of team/drivers confirmed participation in championing a patient. Reed is paired with No. 12 – Sam Hornish Jr. of Penske Racing. Other local pairings include No. 77 – Parker Kligerman, Kyle Busch Motorsports with Payton Julian, 9, of Mansfield; and Cayden “Beau” Hefner, 6, of Mansfield will be a guest of Brian Vickers. Children from other drivers’ home states of Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee will also participate.
A 40-member contingent of The Ohio State University Marching Band will perform during the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver introductions and Brutus Buckeye and several cheerleaders from The Ohio State University will add to the excitement.
And yes, there is the race. Forty stock cars will compete on the permanent road-racing circuit. Tickets for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 are available at midohio.com or 800-MID-OHIO (643-6446) General Parking and children 12 and under are free. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is located at 7721 Steam Corners Road, Lexington.
“Grant helped us announce the race date last year so it’s fitting that he’s going to give the command at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 this weekend,” said Craig Rust, Mid-Ohio president.
