On Wednesday, multiple NASCAR teams and drivers rallied around the family of 5-year-old NASCAR fan who passed away from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
Joey Logano, Matt DiBenedetto, Ryan Ellis and the teams of Aric Almirola, Ryan Newman, Logano and others gathered at a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend the funeral of Jake Leatherman, who died on Nov. 1.
The presence of so many members of the NASCAR community was the result Leatherman’s mother, Crystal, asking WBTV anchor Molly Grantham if she knew of anyone in NASCAR who could attend the funeral in uniform and carry her son’s casket.
“I want to give my son the sendoff he deserves,” Crystal Leatherman wrote. “He recently got into NASCAR and absolutely loves Richard Petty. He loved calling him ‘The King’. But Jake loves a lot of the other cars as well. The Lowe’s car. The M&M’s U.S.A. car. Lots of cars. He loved them all. I was wondering if you knew anyone who would be willing to come in uniform and help carry my baby?”
You can watch a short video from the funeral at Grantham’s Facebook page.
Today was one of the most impressive moments in NASCAR history. Many teams came together as "one", to honor Jake.
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) November 9, 2016
https://t.co/evW3TFv0M3
When Jake's mom reached out to the NASCAR family for love and support, teams never hesitated to show up and celebrate his life! pic.twitter.com/ZJc3AzCOBt
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LegacyMotorclub) November 9, 2016
The #NASCAR community was amazing to be there to send Jake home❤️💙💚💛💜 @RPMotorsports @MollyGrantham @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/54JDKWRO0n
— Mandy Wilson (@mandy_wilson85) November 9, 2016
Proud to be part of this. #RIPJake https://t.co/9OueNqym6Z
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) November 9, 2016
Just got home from Jake Leatherman's funeral. Gives a true perspective on life. The @NASCAR community is unbelievable. Huge turnout
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) November 9, 2016