The Racing for Smiles of the Northwest Program provides young race fans that are suffering from a serious injury or illness, a once in a lifetime dream come true.

With help from local Make a Wish Chapters, Children's Hospitals, race tracks, local businesses and caring volunteers, Racing for Smiles of the NorthWest brings a local child to the speedway where they can meet the drivers, receive autographs, participate in track ceremonies and possibly get to sit in some of their favorite cars.

Most importantly, they have fun!

MANY thanks to Spooled Productions Racing Videos & Photo's for their very generous help by providing pictures of the Racing For Smiles Northwest kids.

To see the most recent pictures,  CLICK HERE .

RFSNW board members greeted 10 yr old Alec as he made his way through the pit entrance at Meridian Speedway.   Alec was in for a full day of fun meeting drivers and then getting to watch them compete against each other. 

Before all that was to start, Alec was presented a gift bag of NASCAR accessories donated from local NASCAR store in Boise, Revv-It-Up.   Also along with these wonderful gifts were a set of replica flags hand made by Sandy Midiere from Premier Construction in Los Banos Calif. 

Alec wasn't done receiving gifts yet, He was presented a RFSNW T-Shirt to get as many autographs as possible, All RFSNW shirts are donated by Stout Creations in Nampa,ID


Before Alec could get his tour of the pits started, he was introduced to a true "Legend". He got the chance to meet Ken Hamilton, who is the father of Indy 500 participant and Advisor for professional motorsports with RFSNW, Davey Hamilton.

Alec really enjoyed talking to Ken, He said, "He's one of the nicest drivers I have ever met". 

Now with his pit tour started Alec met and spoke to many Grand American Modified drivers.

Getting down to the Non-Winged Sprints Alec met up with Don Kithcart who owns and operates Western Raceway Video at the speedway. 

Other drivers that had time to speak with Alec  was Super-Modified driver Jeff Russell, Jeff explained the difference between his Non-Winged Sprint and his Super-Modified.

 
Johnny Giesler was the next driver more than willing to sign on Alec's shirt.  As a bonus Alec got the opportunity to get the feel of racing by sitting in his car.

Alec was all smiles while he said how "cool" that was. While walking down to the Late Model Lites we met up with John Wood, Who is Co-Promoter of Meridian Speedway with Ken Hamilton, With a handshake  and a conversation on how his day has been he now had met both promoters and was on his way. 

There were many LML drivers who took out there Sharpie pens to autograph Alec's shirt. Neil Latham, Rob Powers, Joe Barton & Jim Bailey all took the time to sign and talk racing with Alec and his family. 

Following his pit walk Alec and his family enjoyed lunch at the Speedway's excellent concession stand.  After a trip home & back, the racing action was ready to start.  

With the trophy dash's completed, Alec was all ready to get some photo's taken with the winner's.   Alec's day of surprises had just started, After he had his picture taken with LML trophy dash winner Neil Latham, Latham then presented Alec with the trophy.

The smiles kept growing as Alec went back to his seat with what he thought was the best gift of the day.  As the night of racing went on, Alec's thought was to see if there could be a chance for a main event trophy. 

After watching a very exciting Late Model Lite main event, picture's were in order.   Joe Barton won the hard fought battle to collect the hardware.   Being a very big supporter of RFSNW that he is, Joe then signed the trophy and handed it to Alec.  

That made a perfect close on a perfect night.

RFSNW would like to Thank John Wood, Ken Hamilton and the Meridian Speedway personnel for allowing  these events to put "Smiles" on childrens faces.

Special thanks also go out to ASA (American Speed Association), Stout Creations, Revv-It-Up and Premier Construction in Los Banos, CA. 

Thanks go out to Lamb Airflow & Boise Spring Works and all the drivers at Meridian Speedway. RFSNW next event will be on July 19, 2008.

May 10, 2008.   

On this Saturday, It was a much warmer day than our last event.  But that didn't hold back any of the Smiles that were present at Meridian Speedway.

Caesar was the guest of honor for a day of fun and great racing action.  

When Caesar arrived at the pit gate,  He was met by three of the four board members for RFSNW, Ron Hayes ,LeAnn Reed & Barbara Hayes.  

With it being a race day for Ron Hayes who runs a car in the Legends class, It was going to be a very busy day.  Still he knew how to help Caesar and his family have a great day.  

They first met all the drivers that are in the Legends class. 

Then caught up with track promoter John Wood who was more than happy to get a picture and a short conversation with Caesar. 

Now his mission was to get as many autographs on his RFSNW shirt as possible. He got all the Legends drivers that were present and they had no problem at all to sign his short.  

Jay Cook who is the youngest driver at 16 yrs old had a great conversation with Caesar.  

He had questions about what it was like to race with all the "Older Guys".

Then Caesar made his way to the Late Models where Caesar got a chance to meet Sierra Jackson,  with her being just a few years older than him,  

like Jay Cook,  she was more than happy to take the time talk with him, answer all his questions and just be teenagers.  

Meeting the Grand American Modified drivers was just as special for Caesar.  All the drivers were more than happy to take the time to autograph Caesars shirt as well.  

A few drivers such as Jeff Hill also had an extra hat from his #77 modified as well as his brother,  Tom Hill also gave Caesar a shirt from his #12 modified.  

Once Caesar and his family went home to take a breather,  they returned for a full night of door to door racing.  

Caesar and his family were very impressed by how competitive all of the classes were.

Ron Hayes, President of RFSNW made a trip to the grandstands to see Caesar & his family during the time between his heat race and his main event.  They were all "Smiles" from all the fun and great racing action from the night. 

Due to the weather cooling off as the sun went down,  There night was cut short. 

They did thank RFSNW for a very fun and exciting night.

RFSNW  would like to thank the following companies who contribute to these events.  American Speed Association, Meridian Speedway,  Stout Creations,  Spooled Productions and John Wood & Ken Hamilton at Meridian Speedway.

April 19,2008    RFSNW started their local program on April 19,2008 at Meridian Speedway.  It was a cooler 

day for it to be springtime,  But the smiles were plentiful.Cooper was the guest of honor along with his parents Troy & Amy,  They were in for a day of fun.Cooper started with receiving a custom made autograph shirt from Stout Creations a local company who makes all the shirts for RFSNW and many race teams.  Cooper toured down the pits starting with a greeting from John Wood,Co Promoter of Meridian Speedway. 

After their meeting John informed the group that it was his pleasure to give them the use of the hospitality suite for the evening.

 

 

Coopers tour through the pits continued,starting with the Sprint Car drivers.All of these drivers were top notch lady and gentlemen to cooper. 

Meridians lady sprint driver Sierra Jackson took a little extra time signing and talking with Cooper,as well as all of the Sprint Car drivers. 

 

Brandon Johnson even got Cooper to take a seat behind the wheel of his 14J rocketship.Brandon is known at the speedway as the "Idaho Outlaw"from his experience in the World of Outlaws.     

 

All of the supporting classes were just as happy to take time for an autograph and a photo with Cooper.  Late Model Lite drivers such as Rob Powers, Neil Latham & D.J. Lyons took time to speak with Cooper.  Super Stockers,Dennis Brodigan,Dan Lowther & Terry Lydell werent too busy to get a picture with Cooper.

 

Charlie Stout,Owner of Stout Creations with his wife Lori even made time from his Super Stock to give cooper an autograph.  After a trip home for some well needed rest,Cooper and his family were back at the Speedway for a full night of FUN.While in the hospitality suite, Cooper and his family got a chance to meet RFSNW's new photographer.  Spooled Productions has teamed up with RFSNW to take all the quality pictures at Meridian Speedway.  As the night went on,more of Coopers family got the opportunity to meet with John Wood, as he would stop to say "Hi" thoughout the night.

 

With the night coming to an end, Cooper and his family were escorted to the flagstand where all of the main event winners were at for pictures.  Cooper really enjoyed getting his picture taken with all the winners.  Coopers parents told RFSNW how impressed they were with the Top Notch treatment they received from everyone at the Speedway. 

They told Ron Hayes, President of RFSNW  "This Speedway now has some new fans".  RFSNW's next event is May 10, 2008.    A night when the RFSNW president Ron Hayes will be behind the wheel of his Legends racecar.

RFSNW would like to thank ASA, Fantastic Sams on Overland Road, Meridian Lanes, Premiere Construction of Los Banos,CA and Stout Creations.