When Josh Berry drove his No. 21 PPG Ford Mustang Dark Horse into the pits last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, most race fans were focused on the choreographed routine of the crew as they changed tires and fueled it with gas.
Lucas Stone, an 11-year-old from Bassett, Virginia, was focused on something else.
He and his family took special interest in the pit wall directly next to the car — because that’s where the banner he designed as part of the Kids Color PPG program in celebration of America’s 250th birthday was on full display during the annual Brickyard 400.
“I wanted to create a design that proudly represents my country for one of NASCAR's best drivers.”Lucas Stone, winner of the Kids Color PPG Program
“When I think of America, I picture the American flag, red, white, and blue, the Bald Eagle, and of course, fast cars,” said Stone, who enthusiastically embraced the patriotic theme of the contest.
“I wanted to bring those symbols together to create a design that proudly represents my country for one of NASCAR's best drivers.”
This marks the second season in a row the contest winner has not only see their original design brought to life, but also received a once-in-a-lifetime VIP opportunity to spend time with Berry and the entire Wood Brothers Racing team.
Stone, an avid race fan who also has an interest in art and drawing, re-watches old NASCAR races in his free time. His strong passion for the sport echoes the level of commitment needed to be successful as a NASCAR driver.
“This is a one of a kind opportunity to meet a talented stock car driver who has turned their dream into a career,” Stone said.
Since Stone and his family reside in Virginia, they already have a strong connection not only to NASCAR, but the Wood Brothers themselves.
“There's four generations of men in our family who have been brought together by NASCAR and watching races together,” said Stone’s father, Marcus, about the emotional connection they feel.
“Lucas goes over to his great grandfather's house all the time, and that's what they do. He can't hear very well, and his vision is pretty poor, but Lucas announces the race to him. It's really cool to have that generational connection of something that has brought us together and then having it so close to home.
“We're in a small community, and some of us grew up with the Woods,” continued Marcus Stone. “Having the Wood Brothers right here in our backyard, they’re folks that our families have really been around or been in touch with for years, so bringing that together is really cool not only for our community, but for our family and other families here as well.”
Berry, who is the father of two young daughters himself, noted the positive impact on the sport that comes because of contests like this.
“It’s obviously a really cool program that PPG puts on, and it’s something that they’re very passionate about,” said Berry.
“It’s really fun to get kids involved with our sport, and I think it’s something that’s very important to NASCAR in general, but obviously it’s something close to the heart for PPG in getting them involved and allowing them to design our pit wall banner. It just brings them that much closer to our sport. It does a lot more than just bringing them to the racetrack and getting an autograph.”
Berry also echoed the same levels of enthusiasm when speaking about having Lucas and his family spend time with him and his team at the Brickyard.
“I appreciate them participating in the program and putting so much effort into it and just being a part of our race team for the weekend,” he said.
“Like I said, it’s a lot more than just bringing them to the racetrack and showing them around. Having them involved in that design is something really cool for all of us to be a part of. Hopefully, it’s something that they’ll remember forever.”
Adam Tropper is this year’s winner of the Rod Campbell Award and is serving as an intern working on the Ford Racing program this summer.
