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Playful tweets between driver and crew chief leads to $20,000 charitable donation

ScottZipadelli Ben Kennedy

Ben Kennedy and crew chief Scott Zipadelli helped raise $20,000 for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation after a playful tweet from Kennedy.

While in Kansas on April 21 to promote the races there this past weekend, Kennedy was given a SpongeBob SquarePants adult onesie pajama. He tweeted Zipadelli that he found Zipadelli’s uniform for that race. Zipadelli responded that if Kennedy could raise $10,000 in support of pediatric cancer awareness and research, Zipadelli would wear the onesie during the Camping World Truck race at Kansas where Kennedy’s vehicle featured a special SpongeBob SquarePants paint scheme.

“Pediatric cancer awareness means a lot to me since my daughter was diagnosed with cancer three years ago,” Zipadelli said in a release from the team. “Anytime I can use what I do for a living to try bring awareness, I try to make it happen. It’s pretty cool, and more so, really amazing. The coolest thing was after all the people had donated more than $10,000, Nickelodeon was so gracious and impressed that they donated as well.”

Said Kennedy: “It’s unbelievable that we were able to raise $20,000 and I’m thankful to everyone that donated or helped us get the word out.”