INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Coleman will receive a helping hand from 27 special children and their parents from Riley Hospital for Children during the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Primary sponsor of the No. 27 Ford Fusion, Kimberly-Clark, has created a unique initiative to help celebrate a 10-year partnership between Kroger and Riley Hospital for Children where handprints will represent 27 patients and their parents on Coleman’s No. 27 Ford Fusion.
“It is with great pleasure that Kimberly-Clark celebrates this partnership with Kroger and Riley Hospital for Children by including these 27 families on the No. 27 Ford Fusion during the Indianapolis race weekend,” stated George Rossi, Associate Director Customer Marketing for Kimberly-Clark. “Kroger has been a longstanding strategic retail customer with Kimberly-Clark and we are pleased to partner with them for this exciting opportunity.”
A change from the familiar paint scheme, the race car will be adorned with numerous multi-colored handprints and the names of the 27 patients and their parents, along with the slogan “Making a difference, HAND in HAND.” Altogether there will be 63 people represented on the car. This will be the only car in the Nationwide, Craftsman Truck or Sprint Cup Series events at Indianapolis to feature a special paint scheme that includes patients of Riley Hospital for Children.
“We are very excited that these children will be a part of such a memorable event,” said Jason Mueller, Communications Manager for Riley Children’s Foundation. “I know that these families have been through a lot and are grateful for the opportunity provided by Riley’s loyal partner Kroger, along with the help of Kimberly-Clark.”
Riley Hospital for Children will also be hosting a “NASCAR Party” for the patients from 1-3 pm. Coleman will be in attendance to visit with the patients, some of whom will be featured on his race car. The race car, with the 27 handprints paint scheme, will also be on display for the party, as well as in select Kroger stores leading up to the race weekend.
“It is very inspiring to have these children featured on our race car and I’m looking forward to spending some time with them during the ‘NASCAR party’ at the hospital,” said Brad Coleman, driver of the No. 27 Ford Fusion. “I know these families are truly grateful for the generosity of Riley Hospital for Children and I’m thrilled to be a part of such a one-of-a-kind program.”
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