Second in the starting line-up at the NASCAR Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200, A.J. Allmendinger came out of the final turn for a first place finish at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course on Saturday. His victory came after a late restart when a car spun out in the pack behind him and the racers had to restart for a two-lap finish. Allmendinger maintained his advantage and won the race. He led 73 of the 94 laps and was in the lead the last 31 of those laps.
Driving Roger Penske’s car No. 22 and sponsored by Discount Tire, Allmendinger added the victory to his June 22 first place finish at Road America in Wis. Following his finish were No. 18 Michael McDowell for Joe Gibbs Racing, finishing second; and Sam Hornish Jr., No. 12, also for Penske Racing claiming the third place finish. Allmendinger had previous experience on the track and in pre-race remarks noted that he was at least familiar with the track. But his 2003 win for RuSPORT was a different race because the Champ Car Atlantic Championship win was an open-wheel race with entirely different car handling.
Saturday’s event also included young Nationwide Children’s Hospital patients, a contingent of The Ohio State Marching Band and Brutus Buckeye, and a sea of racing fans and spectators. The race was also the inaugural event of the NASCAR Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at the 2.4 mile Mid-Ohio road course.
Each participating driver was paired with a former or current young hospital patient. Portions of the participating drivers’ cars were signed by the drivers and will be auctioned off online. The children were at the race and introduced with their drivers during pre-race ceremonies; and Grant Reed, of Bellville, served as grand marshal and started the race.
At the Nationwide interactive display in the infield, NASCAR Nationwide emcee John Lucrezi told the audience, “I told Grant only the coolest of the cool are the Grand Marshal.” Reed was paired with Roger Penske’s driver, No. 12 Sam Hornish Jr.
Children enjoyed the interactive display, playing games and winning prizes. Payton Julian, an Ontario fourth grader was one of the hospital’s patients and paired with a driver. Like Reed, he has enjoyed some moments in the spotlight including lighting the Christmas tree at Easton two years ago. He was also paired with pro-golfer Cliff Kresge at Nationwide Children’s Hospital golf tournament in 2011.
“He wants to be a NASCAR driver, actually,” stated his mother Beth Julian. She said that yearning came even before the NASCAR event placed him with a driver this year.
The day’s drivers were paraded around the course in Honda S 2000s which were lined up before the race. “Anyone with one [a Honda S 2000] could drive a driver,” said Seth Leedy of Wadsworth who was waiting for his driver assignment with his father Terry Leedy. The Mid-Ohio course offers a training course and all of the vehicles used are Hondas. The opportunity to drive the course was shared on a Honda forum and drivers from all over the country turned out for the event. Leedy drove No. 19 Mike Bliss.
