Name: Tamara
Age: 13
State: MI

Tamara was born with a very rare muscle disorder known as arthrogryposis which results in severe joint limitations and generally affects the hands, wrists, elbows, hips, shoulders, feet and knees; it also often causes severe respiratory distress and extreme muscle weakness. Tamara’s particular condition is progressive. She has endured 12 surgeries so far in her young life with even more likely in the future. Tamara’s range of motion is extremely impaired and she is confined to a wheelchair.

Tamara is just crazy about Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and thinks he’s the best racer ever! At home, she never misses the chance to catch a race on television and cheer her idol on. Tamara never dreamed that she would actually get to go to a race – or better yet that she would ever meet Dale in person! This special girl learned that sometimes dreams really do come true!

Name: Natalie
Age: 12
State: GA

Natalie has Long QT syndrome, which is a heart condition that causes arrhythmia and frequent fainting. Because of this, she has had both a pacemaker and a defibrillator implanted in her chest. Natalie loves watching NASCAR races and her greatest wish was to meet Dale Earnhardt, Jr. She never dreamed that this wish would ever come true, but it finally did with Kids Wish Network.

Natalie had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet up with her NASCAR hero before a weekend race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Upon arriving at the Speedway, Natalie and her family met many NASCAR greats including Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Richard Petty and crew chief “Bootie” Barker to name only a few. Pictures and autographs abounded while Natalie met them all and she could hardly believe it: “It was almost like I got to have more than one wish because of all the other drivers!” The entire wish had Natalie “revved up” all weekend and she finally learned that with Kids Wish Network, anything is possible.

Name: Michael
Age: 5
State: OH

When Mikey was born, doctors informed his parents that their little boy suffered from a serious medical condition called VATERL Syndrome, which is a term that describes a variety of problems related to a child’s vertebral, cardiac, trachea/esophageal and renal systems, and affect their limbs. As part of this condition, Mikey was born with Blue Baby Syndrome, and as the name suggests, Mikey’s heart did not function properly resulting in very low blood oxygen levels. As an infant, Mikey underwent a large intestine resection, and at just four months old he endured open-heart surgery. He was also born without a left thumb or the forearm bone that leads to it.

Through the outrageous generosity of Go Daddy.com, Mikey was given tickets to the big race and got to hang out in the special hospitality tent. There he met with WWE wrestling diva and “Go Daddy Girl”, Candice Michelle, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s teammate, Brad Keselowski, and he was the only child to have the privilege of sitting in one of Dale Jr.’s racecars. Mikey even got to take a guided tour of the pits where he witnessed the fast-paced action of the NASCAR world firsthand!

Of course, out of everything that Mikey experienced at the track, his favorite part of the trip was meeting the man himself, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Though he had lots to say to Dale Jr. beforehand, upon meeting him, Mikey was tongue-tied at first and just kept handing Mr. Earnhardt items, including a wooden car that he had made for Dale Jr., and things to autograph. By the end of the meeting however, Mikey overcame his fears and dashed after the famous driver as he got up to leave, grabbed Dale Jr. by the leg and gave him a big hug, proclaiming, “I love you, Junior!” This prompted a warm smile to light upon Mr. Earnhardt’s face as he reached down to pat the enthusiastic little boy on the back. “I love you too, buddy,” he said. It was truly an experience that Mikey and his family will never forget.

After meeting his hero, Mikey and his family watched the race, where he cheered his favorite driver on and was thrilled to witness the real-life speed of the racecars.