NOTEBOOK: NASCAR's Joey Logano gives time, $10,000 donation to Delaware's B+ Foundation

Jerry Smith
The News Journal
NASCAR driver Joey Logano talks to one of the eight B+ Foundation (kids with cancer) near the Monster Mile garage area Sunday before the race at Dover International Speedway.

Winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Dover International Speedway wasn't the only thing on Joey Logano's mind Sunday.

The NASCAR veteran, currently sixth in the Cup playoff points race, took time out before Sunday's big race to give The B+ Foundation a $10,000 grant for its Family Assistance Program.

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Logano also talked with eight B+ Heroes (kids with cancer) and their family members near the Monster Mile garage area about how loud it is at the track, how hot it is in the car as he answered various questions about Sunday's race.

Joey Logano takes time before the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Sunday to donate $10,000 to the B+ Foundation of Delaware and to talk with the eight B+ Heroes (kids with cancer) and their family members.

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation in Wilmington was born out of tragedy after athlete and 'A' student Andrew McDonough died from complications of leukemia in 2007 at age 14.

Andrew's blood type and the family's motto is "B+: Be Positive." The objective of the foundation is to sponsor research to find cures for pediatric cancers and improved treatment protocols.

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The foundation also looks to provide assistance to families of children with cancer nationwide.

According to The B+ Foundation, childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children and teenagers. Every school day, 46 children will be diagnosed with cancer.

Each week, 49 children die from cancer and nearly 40,000 children are in treatment. The survival rate is currently 75 percent. 

For more information visit www.BePositive.org.

Wilmington native and Delcastle High School graduate Joshua Graham (in front of car) helps Tyler Riddick push the No. 9 Chevrolet co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. of JR Motorsports in the pit area.

Delcastle High auto class starts Wilmington engineer on his NASCAR journey

Wilmington's Joshua Graham won't be sitting in the grandstand for the "Bar Harbor 200" NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday.

That's because the Delcastle High School graduate will be in the pits as an engineer for the No. 9 Chevrolet co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. of JR Motorsports and driven by Tyler Reddick.

From leaving school early in the second and third grades to watch qualifying on Friday afternoons to excelling in auto tech class in high school and then pursuing mechanical engineering in college, Graham was destined to end up in NASCAR.

Graham interned for JR Motorsports his senior year in college and then was hired full time and he has never looked back.

He started his race engineer career with Cole Custer in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, then moved over to JR Motorsports and worked on the No. 88 with Alex Bowman.

Last season he was the lead engineer on Michael Annett’s No. 5 Chevy and now works with Tyler Reddick and the No. 9 team.

"It’s exciting being on top of the pit box at my home track," Graham said in a recent interview. "I have been lucky enough to come to the Monster Mile three times in my career. Just being home and being able to do what you love in front of your family and friends is exciting."

Brian DiSabatino (second from left) was honored Sunday with the Waste Masters Solutions Hometown Hero Award for 2018. The Wilmington businessman donated the $1,000 award to Stop Soldier Suicide.

Delaware's Brian DiSabatino receives Hometown Hero Award

In recognition of his efforts to assist veterans both locally and nationally, Delaware's Brian DiSabatino was honored Sunday with the Waste Masters Solutions Hometown Hero Award for 2018.

DiSabatino, 53, is the CEO of EDiS Company, a construction management firm based in Wilmington, Del. and West Chester, Pa. The firm has built dozens of churches, homes, office buildings and schools across the mid-Atlantic region.

In recent years, that focus has expanded to ensure America’s veterans are given dignity and respect, as well as the help they need in times of crisis.

Dover International Speedway aids in Hurricane Florence relief efforts

Dover International Speedway was a drop-off site this weekend for hygiene products, cleaning supplies and non-perishable food to aid the victims of Hurricane Florence.

The community and race fans filled a tractor-trailer with items such as non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, all-purpose cleaners, tarps, rakes and mops, diapers, wipes and work gloves.

Reach Jerry Smith at jsmith17@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerrySmithTNJ.