Those who work in NASCAR are known for the interactions with fans. Social media is a favorite platform for drivers, owners, crew chiefs -- you name it -- to spread their message.
Unfortunately, Rodney Childers, the crew chief for Kevin Harvick's No. 4 Ford Fusion, shared a very sad message on Twitter.
It seems a young fan battling cancer died before he could get a promised tour around the Stewart-Haas Racing shop.
Last week I made pans to show a little boy named TJ around the shop when I got back from Daytona. TJ has been fighting cancer. This afternoon, I got a (message) I never wanted to get. My thoughts and prayers are with TJ's friends and family.
Last week I made plans to show a little boy named TJ around the shop when I got back from Daytona.. TJ has been fighting cancer.. This afternoon I got the msg I never wanted to get.. My thoughts and prayers are with TJ?s friends and family ????
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) February 8, 2018
NASCAR fans opened their hearts, too, offering prayers to the little boy and his family. Some suggested dedicating the Daytona 500 to him, or even just scratching "TJ" on the car somewhere.
However Childers decides to honor him is actually secondary to what he planned to do. He wanted to give a dying little boy one last wish, and, sadly, that didn't come to pass. Hopefully, he thought, effort and love goes a little way (and it would be just a very little) in helping the family with its grief.