newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
LeBron James aims to give students at I Promise School opportunities they wouldn’t get otherwise.
Recently, the NBA superstar’s mission has shifted into a different gear.
James Bromsey III, a sixth grader at James’ School in Akron, Ohio, was granted backstage access ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway.
It was a fitting way to celebrate a student who had lost his father four years earlier. .
NASCAR reveals why Denny Hamlin’s Pocono winning car was disqualified
“My son was six months old when my dad said he was going to the soapbox derby,” recalled Tomika Pope.
Bromsey has delivered on his promise to attend the event in June. He was awarded a VIP experience by Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. This gave Chris Buescher a paint job on his No. 17 Ford that included logos, colors and words associated with his LeBron James Family Foundation.
Bromsey climbed into the pace car, climbed onto the spotters stand, and met and greeted Buescher.
“When did you do your first flip?” he asked Buescher. He said he hadn’t flipped, but recently his car caught fire. I told the guest that I had him start the race.
Shock: NASCAR to start electric racing series in 2023, says leaked documents
“Dad was into racing, too,” Bromsey said quietly.
Bromsey’s aunt Tracy Golston almost burst into tears during a tour of RFK’s hauler, including peeking through the overhead opening of the space where the team stores the two cars. He said he died in 2018 shortly after a bout of pneumonia.
“He could have led this tour,” she choked. “It’s so inspiring to see how God put this together.”
Bromsey added:
Bromsey was also granted access to the garage area, where he posed for a picture and pointed to the I Promise School logo on Buescher’s car. He then walked behind the Mustang as it pushed onto the track and watched Buescher finish his 16th in a race by his 37 cars won by Kevin Harvick. No.4 Ford.
James is a minority shareholder in Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of RFK Racing. Four years before he opened I Promise School, in partnership with the family foundation and Akron City Schools, which could accommodate grades 3 through his 8th, the same things he had during a difficult childhood. Aims to help children facing problems.
Danica Patrick talks Indy 500, Bristol and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Before the race, James wished Buescher the best of luck on Twitter and celebrated Bromsey’s experience.
“For James it’s been amazing to have the opportunity of a lifetime on the circuit. He’s an incredible kid who loves racing. I wanted to show him something: Car 17 represents all of us and I want all the kids in Akron to know that nothing is out of reach for them. That’s it. “
Did a day on the track inspire Bromsey to one day become a NASCAR driver?
“I stick to the soapbox derby,” he said with a grin.