Chase Elliott Foundation 'DESI9N TO DRIVE' Returns for Ninth Year

The Chase Elliott Foundation is continuing its partnership with NAPA and Hendrick Motorsports for its “DESI9N TO DRIVE” art collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s).

Now in its ninth year, the DESI9N TO DRIVE program has raised and donated nearly half a million dollars to Children’s since 2017.

As part of the program, Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and his race uniform for the NASCAR Cup Series event at EchoPark Speedway on June 28 have been designed by a pediatric cancer patient at Children’s.

Race fans can also enter an online sweepstakes fundraiser benefitting the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s for prizes such as part of Elliott’s race-worn uniform, a VIP race day meet-and-greet experience with Elliott.

“Every year, the DESI9N TO DRIVE program reminds me why I love what I do,” said Elliott. “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.”

The ninth edition of the DESI9N TO DRIVE program received dozens of Dream Big-themed submissions from patients at Children’s. Rhealynn Mills, 11, sketched the design selected.

After obtaining an injury in softball, Mills 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, Mills hopes to return to the softball fields soon.

The winning car design depicts Mills’ dream of becoming a nurse one day, working with pediatric patients like herself and contributing towards finding a cure for cancer.

The design features symbols of hope and healing, including pediatric oncology references, gold childhood cancer ribbons, a stethoscope, heart monitors and bandages.

The car is also brightly decorated, including clouds of encouragement like “Cure Cancer” and “Helping Kids Like Me.” It also includes the Bible verse Psalm 46:5, “God is within you, you will not fail.”

“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.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to partner with the Chase Elliott Foundation for the ninth year of DESI9N TO DRIVE,” said Beth Buursema, Director of Corporate and Community Giving at Children’s. “This special collaboration gives our patients a chance to dream big, express themselves, and be part of something unforgettable. With one of the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorder programs in the country, we’re proud to see these designs bring hope to our families and help us continue our mission to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow.”

Fans can go to desi9ntodrive.org to learn more and click a link to enter the sweepstakes. The sweepstakes start June 11th and will close on July 9th.

The DESI9N TO DRIVE car will take the track at EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Coverage of the event will be provided by TNT Sports, the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

-Photo credit: Hendrick Motorsports