A new Robby fan this weekend...

New Milford boy gets autographs, Corvette ride at Daytona 500 Like all the other kids standing by the infield stage Sunday, 7-year-old Justin Lee of New Milford stuck out his hand in hopes of landing high-fives from the procession of Sprint Cup drivers at the Daytona 500.

One after another, the Sprint Cup drivers slapped hands with the kids, taking special care not to step on any of the eyeballs popping out by the dozens.

But one driver, Robby Gordon of the No. 7 Jim Beam Toyota, missed Justin's hand as he made his way across the stage.

"Hey, you've got to come back!" Justin's mother, Jennifer, urged Gordon as he continued down the line. "It's his birthday!"

And, just like that, Justin Lee got the birthday present of the year and the story of a lifetime.

Gordon immediately spun around and walked toward Justin.

"It's your birthday today?" Gordon asked the first grader from Northville Elementary School.

As soon as Justin nodded, Gordon gave him a high-five and lifted him over the security tape.

"Robby told us to meet him at his car and he took off with our son," Jennifer Lee said Monday by cell phone. "My husband (Steve) and I just looked at each other: 'Did Robby Gordon just take our son?' It was unbelievable."

If it was unbelievable for them, just imagine how it felt for Justin.

The brown-haired boy rode around Daytona's world-famous racetrack in a Corvette before the race. He had his picture taken with some of the drivers. He scored autographs from many of the Sprint Cup stars, including Gordon and Tony Stewart, his favorite driver.

"It was amazing. I was surprised," Justin said. "It was a lot of fun."

And how.

"It was a great experience for all of us," Jennifer Lee said. "This is the third year my husband, Justin and I have come down to Daytona to see the race. We have a big motor home and we come down for the week."

Justin also has a 19-year-old sister, Amanda Manwaring, who attends Western Connecticut State University.

Although Amanda couldn't make it down to Daytona, Justin will have plenty to show her when he gets home.

From NewsTimes.com

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Middy on February 17, 2009 at 1:55am
Jim Beam certainly can be proud, "The stuff inside" is what it's all about, and Robby has just that, well done!
Permalink Reply by Keith on February 17, 2009 at 8:00am
Hope they catch this story.
Permalink Reply by matts11 on February 17, 2009 at 7:47am
your the best robby!!
Permalink Reply by Pathfinder7 on February 17, 2009 at 7:53am
Way to go, Rob!
Permalink Reply by Keith on February 17, 2009 at 7:59am
Extremely jealous of the boy!
Thanks for sharing Alan.
Permalink Reply by JoCo on February 17, 2009 at 12:30pm
Do you want Robby to pick you up and lift you over a gate too? :-P
Permalink Reply by Christy on February 17, 2009 at 8:16am
Now that shows true character and what a great guy Robby is.
Permalink Reply by Lance on February 17, 2009 at 8:22am
Great job Rob. One of the many reasons we're all fans of you.
Permalink Reply by Sarah on February 17, 2009 at 9:11am
Now that is the Robby we all love and support here! Thanks for the article Alan.
Permalink Reply by ron torres on February 17, 2009 at 9:46am
Way to go Robby, Its drivers like you that keep Nascar as popular as it is.
Permalink Reply by alan4s on February 17, 2009 at 9:47am
Found a couple of pictures of Justin:


Permalink Reply by Bruno on February 17, 2009 at 9:50am
That's Robby. The best!

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