-Though the rain shut us down on our first try, Griffin still made it to the Midway the following week on June 8. In the short time he had before the rains came on June 1, he got a t-shirt and met Terry Phillips and met Super Stock stars Ben Newell and Donnie Ginnings and even sat behind the wheel of their racecars! Being the track that is "Family Run for Family Fun", Midway Speedway was honored to recognize 7 year old Griffin. Griffin was adopted at birth but was born 2 months premature. As a result of the premature birth, he had a stroke which caused cerebral palsy. He has had 8 surgeries to help correct the defects and now takes Botox injections with serial casting for his legs. His vision is 20/60 and he has been in some type of therapy since he was 10 months old. Amazingly, Griffin attends public schools and fits in with the rest of the kids. He has been through a lot in his short life, but goes all out with everything he does. To see him now he looks like a normal seven year old. He absolutely LOVES racing and this is his first time to a race track. His mom Gayle, wants him to experience all he can in life and not be short-changed due to his disability. "You guys are doing way too much. I want to thank you all for all that you are doing for him. I just cannot believe it, says the teary-eyed mom. Griffin has certainly fought the fight and continues to do so. As he took his "victory laps" around the Midway fans yelled and cheered as they made sure Griffin heard them all. He smiled as big as his cheeks allowed.
A memorable evening for one unforgettable little boy
By Rob Breault
An unforgettable evening took place this past Friday night at the Midway
Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri and it had nothing to do with the action on the
racetrack but for a little boy with cerebral palsy.
Griffin Dortch, a seven year old from Nixa and a die-hard race fan, had never
attended an event at a racetrack. Bomber driver, Missy Shaw, and past Enduro
race winner, Mike Scott, who support the Midway each week, approached officials
at the track about taking a few laps around the 3/8’s mile oval with Griffin
during intermission.
The owners of the track took it a step further. A silent auction was put
together quickly, thanks to Lebanon car dealer Tim Parsons, and was held that
evening for Griffin and his mother, Gayle. As many as 25 area businesses
participated by donating items such as a generator, a portable DVD player,
autographed sheet metal and helmets of Midway’s Modified and Sprint Car stars
Jamie Ragland and Eric Todd, and gift certificates including a $500 gift
certificate to Tim Parsons Auto Sales. Many drivers helped out the cause by
handing Griffin their t-shirts, hat pins, and other goodies including local
Factory Stock driver, Lonnie Henderson, and late model star and Springfield
native, Terry Phillips.
Many drivers such as Donnie Ginnings, Ben Newell and Joe Todd allowed Griffin to
sit behind the wheel of their racecars while pictures were being taken. Griffin
even helped “pack” the track in Ginnings’ racecar driven by Ben Newell as the
crowd cheered him on.
But this was only the beginning. Griffin participated in his first ever drivers’
meeting where he met all of the drivers. He then took part in the National
Anthem by riding with Missy Shaw as they held the American Flag. “Awesome,”
yells Griffin.
Other local Bomber drivers, Jennifer Crouch, Chris Johnson, and Waters brothers, Billy and
Brandon, got together and created a “Welcome to Midway” vinyl banner and had
dozens of drivers sign it. The banner was given to Griffin and mother during
intermission once the track’s ‘Kid’s Bike Races’ concluded. A plaque reading “My
1st Visit to the Midway” along with his name and date was also handed to Griffin
as pictures were being taken from many fans and officials.
“This is awesome, something I never thought could happen,” cries Gayle watching
as her son was smiling with excitement in every direction he looked. “We cannot
believe you guys did all this. We are so grateful.” Gayle went on to say,
“Thanks to all who helped.”
Griffin, in fact, did participate in the bike races, training wheels and all, as
he and every child who participated received a trophy and a $5 bill. Little did
Gayle know that more $5 bills were soon to be headed her way.
Dan Newell, son of Super Stock fan favorite J.C. Newell and brother to last
year’s class champion, Ben Newell, took it upon himself to walk around the pits
and grandstands collecting money for the Dortch family. “This is the least I can
do to help”, says Newell as over $500 was collected from him alone.
Donnie Ginnings, who won the Super Stocks feature, even handed his winning
trophy to Griffin. Eric Hudson, who won the A-Modified feature, did the same
thing.
The auction went on for several hours as nearly $700 was collected from all the
kind people who turned their bids into winning ones. There were also many other
financial donations given to the family by area businesses.
Gayle was caught wiping her eyes many times throughout the night as she watched
her son have the time of his life around racing, the sport he loves. “I know he
will enjoy this night for the rest of his life as will I”.
All in all, the track had over 100 cars in the pits and jam-packed grandstands.
The nights’ racing was great as everyone had a great time but the focus remained
on 7 year old Griffin as he had no idea what was in store for him once he
arrived at the Midway.
Mike Scott said it best when he said, “As aggravated as we may get at times,
when it really counts, everyone stepped up to the plate and did the one thing
God commands of all of us and that is to give our time and resources to help
others. Thanks again for making his night so special.”
You’re very welcome. It was our pleasure.
Griffin with Joe, Eric & Clint Todd.
Griffin and MARS Star Terry Phillips.
Griffin and 2005 Modified Champion Jamie Ragland.
Griffin as he stands next to Donnie Ginnings' car with a "new sponsor".
Griffin and Dan Newell help pack the track in Donnie Ginnings Super Stock.
Griffin and his uncle watch the racecars from the pits.
Missy Shaw helps Griffin into her car for a driver's view.
Missy showing Griffin the inside of her #90 Bomber.
Griffin participates in Midway's National Anthem Ceremony.
Griffin alongside the silent auction table.
Griffin and me, Rob the Web Guy!
Super Stock driver Ben Newell offers Griffin some driving tips while relaxing in the 83 car.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(The Midway Speedway would like to thank all the businesses, drivers and fans
that came together to make this night a special one for Griffin. It’s great to
have a community who will pull together for a family in time of need.)
Midway Speedway
would like to acknowledge the following businesses for their support for Griffin:
*Tim Parson’s Auto Sales-763 Lynn St. Lebanon 532-8853
*T.W. Smith Trucking / Westside Café-33280 Ridgewood Drive Lebanon 286-4665
*Dowd’s Catfish House-1760 W. Elm St. Lebanon 532-1777
*D & A Distributing-742 Utah St. Lebanon 532-2880
*American Auto Supply-400 W. Elm St. Lebanon 532-2114
*Bailey’s Radio Shack (Randy Angst)-430 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 532-9290
*Beads, Pots & What Nots-1140 Lynn St. Lebanon 533-5500
*Faye’s Diner-691 W. Elm St. Lebanon 532-7338
*Lebanon Books-1116 Lynn St. Lebanon 532-2500
*Cornerstone Subs & Pizza-399 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 588-3616
*AMSOIL (John & Thelma Wagner)-23997 HWY N. Lebanon 532-4140
*Joe’s Garage (Todd Family)-39925 HWY 32 Falcon, Mo. 65470 417-453-6679
*Falcon Floor Covering-109 E. Commercial St. Lebanon 532-3118
*Lebanon Kawasaki/Suzuki-801 N. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 588-3550
*Energy Companies (Duard Johnson)-1400 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 532-9153
*Midway Speedway-20377 Silver Drive Lebanon 532-6254
*The Trophy Shop (Angie & Amanda)-20377 Silver Drive Lebanon 588-3283
*Lebanon Bible & Book Store-200 W. Commercial St. Lebanon 532-9516
*MFA Agri-Services-225 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 532-3174
*MFA Oil/Propane-22157 Route 66 Lebanon 532-3834
*Meek’s Lumber-2041 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 588-3223
*Dollar General (Pat Breault)-P.O. Box 332 Hartville, Mo. 65667 741-7967
*TH Rogers-1000 Lynn St. Lebanon 532-9181
*AutoZone-815 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 588-5887
*O’Reilly’s Auto Parts-365 S. Jefferson Ave. Lebanon 532-3188
*Fast Eddie’s Muffler & Tire Shop-480 W. Commercial St. Lebanon 533-5135
*Vernon & Son’s Enterprises-1135 W. Elm. St. Lebanon 532-3167
*Crow Paint & Glass-390 W. Elm St. Lebanon 532-3551
*Lebanon Radiator Services-114 Beacon Road Lebanon 532-4208
There are also several drivers donating t-shirts and other items for Griffin.
Drivers include Terry Phillips, Lonnie Henderson, Clint, Eric and Joe Todd,
Jamie Ragland, Jennifer Crouch, Bill Waters, Brandon Waters, Chris Johnson,
Brian Schutt, Missy and Steve
Shaw, Mike Scott and
many, many more. Some businesses above have elected to give their donated items
directly to Griffin.
What a night it was!
THANKS TO
ALL!