Phoenix Raceway, partnered with Phoenix Children’s, may have new annual event even greater than Championship Weekend

PHOENIX — When 10-year-old Daniel Sanchez and his mother, Janeth Sosa, entered the Aztec Room at the Arizona Biltmore on Tuesday morning, several people were waiting to greet them.

The first person to meet with Daniel and his mother was four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, who proceeded to shake hands and pose for photos with the family.

Daniel, wearing a No. 9 Chase Elliott hat, smiled as he met the NASCAR legend. And Elliott, his favorite driver, soon spent time with the young man, too.

He has a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. Because of the disease, Daniel’s right leg was amputated. But his mother says he is as happy and optimistic of a person she knows, and he took center stage for a luncheon event held at the Biltmore by Phoenix Raceway and Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

In a room filled with hundreds of people, Daniel and Sosa spoke with Gordon, Elliott, Dale Jarrett, and Dr. Mario Otto of Phoenix Children’s Hospital on stage to discuss the ongoing battles he and thousands of children across the country face.

Otto described the research and challenges in battling such diseases, and while there has been a vastly improved success rate in recoveries among patients, there are still 20% who don’t survive the battle.

“We want to bring the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art, cutting-edge treatment for kids here in the state of Arizona,” Dr. Otto said. “Every year, 15,000 patients are diagnosed with cancer in kids and young adolescents. … What is important to us is to provide the best available treatment and care for the kids here … and work with partners to develop new treatments for patients.”

The event took place days before the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs began at Darlington Raceway. Elliott, the regular series champion, put a smile on Daniel’s face while also describing the championship hunt he’ll pursue over the next 10 weeks.

While the discussion started with a solemn topic, there, of course, was time to talk about racing. Daniel was curious about Elliott’s career and asked if he had ever been in a crash or been hurt by one.

Elliott shared that he has been in many crashes throughout his career, which humored the crowd. Although he was shy, Daniel enjoyed his time with the 2020 NASCAR champion. At the end of the event, Gordon presented him with a checkered flag framed and signed by all of the Hendrick Motorsports drivers, team owner Rick Hendrick, and Gordon himself.

The room gave a standing ovation at this moment. For everything Daniel has endured, he deserved every second of it.

“Our NASCAR champions and the champions of our community made an impact today,” said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese. “Not only did they bring joy to Daniel, but they also provided additional resources to bring more joy to other children and their families going through the most difficult of circumstances.”

The event raised more than $40,000 for Phoenix Children’s. Fans came to a VIP meet and greet to get photos and autographs from Elliott, Gordon, and Jarrett while also having the opportunity to participate in a silent auction that featured a variety of signed sports memorabilia.

To say Tuesday was a success for Phoenix Raceway and the Children’s Center would be an understatement. The NASCAR Championship Ignition Luncheon benefitting Phoenix Children’s was a new occasion for the track and the city, but the goal is to make it an annual occurrence and grow its awareness with each passing year.

“You want to try to help and try to make a difference in somebody’s life,” Elliott said. “No matter the impact, it is relevant, and it does matter. I think oftentimes, when we do our jobs, we get so immersed in the competition aspect. You can lose sight of the bigger picture and what’s going on. … You can make an impact on somebody’s life with just a small interaction. I’m guilty of overlooking that some days, too.

“The reality is, you can make a difference. We’re very fortunate we can make a fairly large one in some markets, and this is one of them.”

Phoenix Raceway has hosted NASCAR’s championship since 2020 and will continue to do so until at least 2023. And while that will draw the attention of millions of fans worldwide, the track and NASCAR should be just as proud, if not prouder, of the effort put into the Ignition Luncheon this week.