Many people in Bladen County and elsewhere have all come together to help support East Bladen Eagles Coach Robby Priest in his fight against cancer. Now, a NASCAR driver has joined the ranks of #robbystrong. His name is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. He is a two time NASCAR Xfinity champion. Stenhouse has won two NASCAR Monstor Energy series races. He is the favorite driver of Cara and Ryne Priest, Robby’s children.
Kelley Lewis said, “We met him four years ago. Ryne, Robby’s son, was 4 years old and all he wanted was to meet Ricky for his birthday.”
Lewis said they spoke with Andrea Perry, who is the public relations representative with Roush Fenway Racing who own Ricky Stenhouse’s racing team. Since their meeting, Ryne and Cara have seen Stenhouse several times at different races and fan day events.
“This February, when we went to the Daytona 500, as soon as we got to the track, Cara spotted Ricky and Andrea, she and Ryne both took off running They had two #robbystrong bracelets for them,” said Lewis.
Lewis said they spoke and told them about Priest’s battle with cancer. Stenhouse and Perry both seemed very concerned. Lewis stated that Stenhouse even said Ryne and Cara were his adopted family. Cara and Ryne wanted them to come to the recent fundraiser held for Priest but Stenhouse was racing at Texas.
“Cara and Ryne decided they wanted Ricky and Andrea to both have #robbystrong T-shirts. So we made sure they got them,” said Lewis.
She added Stenhouse and Perry have kept in contact with them about how Priest is doing. Lewis said they both are genuinely concerned. She said Ryne will tweet Stenhouse a lot and the majority of the time he acknowledges that he received it.
“It’s just awesome to have his support being he is a NASCAR star. He is a great role model for Robby’s kids. We have never seen him when he did not stop and talk with them. Knowing Ricky is supporting Robby means so much to this family,” said Lewis.
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