"Angels for Atticus" RACER...

As many of you know, Atticus and I were invited to attend the Grand Am 200 race in Detroit. We were so excited to go. Atticus said, "I can't wait to see the real racers!" Shortly after the ball starting rolling and plans were full speed, I had to call  and cancel,  Atticus declined very quickly, Heavenly Father having another plan for us and more importantly for him. 

We have been loved and supported by so many people; family, friends, strangers that are now friends, church members, you name it. And we are so SO grateful for each and every one of you. But, today I want to do a shout out to Horton AutoSport click HERE. Thank you John and Kielle Horton! I will never be able to repay your kindness.

Although Atticus wasn't able to physically make it to the race I KNOW he was there in spirit and smiling at HIS NAME being on so many REAL RACERS. I can't help but break down in tears when I look at these pictures. I would have loved to have been there with him, knowing how happy it would have made him. 

This is one of the emails I was sent from Kielle at Horton AutoSports, 

"Great news... withing about 6 hours, we raised plenty of money to send Atticus plus one to the race! 

Everyone has been tremendously generous...!?"

Another email...

"Here is the entry list for the Grand Am Chevrolet 200 race in Detroit. If you scroll down to #73/Horton Autosport, you can see that Angels for Atticus is a sponsor and that they've listed Atticus Hansen as a driver along with Patrick Lindsey and Eric Foss! In addition to the Angels for Atticus logo, Atticus' name will able on the race car as a driver along with the other two names. I hope Atticus is excited... he's an official race car driver!! :)" 

Here are some AMAZING pictures of the race....

THE "RACER" as Atticus would say...

Thank you Dario  Franchitti- for racing for Atticus! 

Patrick Dempsey, racing for Atticus!

Joe Hancock.. "You inspired us at the track to race in memory of Atticus."

 

Ryan Eversley... pictures on Ryan's Eversley's FB page, click HERE. Racing For Atticus fans at Mid Ohio, Ryan Eversley and the gang showing their support for "Racing for Atticus.

The RACERS...

Worst and Best Week

Click HERE for his blog and the rest of this post he wrote! 

The Horton Autosport team came into the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle with heavy hearts.  It was a very uncharacteristic mood for the team and there is no way to describe the tonnage of emotion we brought with us to the event.  For some time we had tried to coordinate with a very special young man to get him to the Detroit race as our VIP guest.  That little guy’s name is Atticus Hansen, and he has been a true inspiration to everyone who has had the good fortune to meet him or, in many of our cases, simply know his story and situation.  Atticus was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable, terminal brain tumor early this year at the tender age of four.  The story isn’t one of sadness, however, because by displaying bravery, courage and compassion to others despite his own situation Atticus has taught us all a valuable lesson; live our lives every day as one of God’s children and turn what may seem like a burden into a blessing.

Atticus succumbed to the tumor in his body the Sunday before the grand prix.  I heard the news on Memorial Day morning and was devastated.  It didn’t seem fair to lose such a fantastic boy who had such a good heart.  He loved race cars and we were so excited to give him the experience of a lifetime in Detroit.  Unfortunately we didn’t get that chance.  This story is in no way a tragedy, but rather a significant triumph.  Atticus left the pain of his worldly body to spend an eternity with our Savior and in addition, he leaves behind a legacy that will touch people long after we are gone.

Before the start of our Rolex race, Eric Foss and I shared a moment with one of the SPEED Channel announcers, Brian Till.  Brian was sharing how Atticus’s story moved him and made him reflect on his relationships with loved ones.  Thousands of people have been touched by this young boy and, like Brian and myself, all have taken an inward look to audit the way we treat those we care for and even those we don’t even know.  In his own selfless way, Atticus taught us this most valuable and “golden” rule.

                           

Pre Race

Ethan joined me at the autograph session.

The #73 ready for a street fight in Detroit