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

Views: 63

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike/WC77 on February 16, 2009 at 10:01pm
Very cool story Alan, glad to see it got to press. Kudos to you, if your reading Rob.
Permalink Reply by JoCo on February 16, 2009 at 10:47pm
He won't care--he'll just set up a promotion for someone to enter so that on their birthday Daddy's Boy Jr can do the same.
Permalink Reply by nickspeed on February 16, 2009 at 11:32pm
Thats are Robby, he is so alsome with all us fans!
Permalink Reply by Kevin Sweeney on February 16, 2009 at 11:36pm
Thats really neat!
Permalink Reply by Craig Veld on February 17, 2009 at 12:13am
That's better than the Frank Oharris coke commercial .
Permalink Reply by landshrk on February 17, 2009 at 7:41am
That is Franko Harris...come one get it right.
Permalink Reply by Doug on February 17, 2009 at 9:48am
Franco Harris, besides it was Joe Greene anyway. Regardless, great story, and great show of character by Robby.
Permalink Reply by rick on February 17, 2009 at 11:16am
It is Troy Polamalu.
Permalink Reply by JoCo on February 17, 2009 at 12:17pm
It's Optimus Prime.
Permalink Reply by Doug on February 17, 2009 at 2:40pm
In the new Coke Zero yes, but in the original Coke one no.
Permalink Reply by alan4s on February 17, 2009 at 2:54pm
Here's the original, from 1979 Coca-Cola Classic ad: Mean Joe Green

Permalink Reply by d7lee on February 17, 2009 at 12:32am
nice robby!

RSS

© 2024   Created by TOG.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service