Despite absence, Dale Earnhardt Jr. still makes positive impact at Pocono
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not racing this weekend at Pocono Raceway.
But he's still having a positive impact.
And while Jeff Gordon is subbing as driver of Earnhardt's No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for the second week in a row as Earnhardt recovers from concussion-like symptoms, there is yet another name that is being carried on the car.
The name over the passenger's side door belongs to 11-year-old Tarissa Suchecki, a patient at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Suchecki was born more than two months premature and spent the first seven months of her life at the hospital.
Among the many complications Suchecki endured was profound hearing loss. But she is now a thriving fourth-grader who enjoys school and competing in beauty pageants -- and she also is the recipient of a special honor presented by the Dale Jr. Foundation's "Driven to Give Gloves" program in conjunction with Nationwide Children's Hospital.
As part of the program, Earnhardt is giving four patients from the hospital his driver's gloves in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the facility's clinical and research programs. The foundation has raised nearly $100,000 for this thus far -- and obviously put a huge smile on Suchecki's face for this weekend.
The No. 88 car will have a new addition above the door this weekend: @NationwideKids Patient Champion Tarissa pic.twitter.com/X4s4HGSAba
— Nationwide 88 (@nationwide88) July 28, 2016
