Gordon 200 and counting for Make-A-Wish efforts

PHOENIX -- In 1995, a young driver named Jeff Gordon won his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. That same year, he also granted his first wish to a child with a life-threatening medical condition in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Now 13 years later, Gordon is still collecting wins and still bringing smiles to Make-A-Wish kids through his strong commitment to wish granting -- he passed the 200-wish mark earlier this season. The Make-A-Wish Foundation will celebrate his efforts when Joshua, 15, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., meets Gordon at Phoenix International Raceway for his wish before Saturday's Subway Fresh Fit 500.

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Joshua will receive VIP treatment during the race weekend: In addition to his wish meeting, he will take part in some of the pre-race activities with his favorite driver Saturday and then watch Gordon race for the checkered flag in the No. 24 car. Gordon will also present Joshua with special mementos of his wish.

While he has fulfilled so many wishes, Gordon says that the number doesn't matter. He works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant kids' heartfelt wishes nearly every weekend during the race season because of the profound effect these kids have on his life.

"It's humbling to know that these kids choose to spend time with me," Gordon said. "They face tremendous challenges every day because of their conditions, and the strength and determination they show is really inspiring to me. It's just heartwarming to see their smiles and know they are enjoying themselves at a difficult time in their lives."

"The Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly grateful to Jeff Gordon for his ongoing support of our work and our wish kids," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "Two hundred wishes is a phenomenal milestone for a celebrity wish granter, and Jeff is only the second person to reach this milestone. Instead of dwelling on the hardships of medical treatments and hospital stays, all of these kids -- and more to come, I'm sure -- experienced the joy of having their wishes come true thanks to Jeff's kindness and generosity. "

Gordon also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation through financial gifts from The Jeff Gordon Foundation.

Those who would like to support these efforts may donate in honor of Gordon's 200-plus wishes by visiting The Jeff Gordon Foundation Web site at www.jeffgordonfoundation.org or the Make-A-Wish Web site at www.wish.org. To honor Gordon's commitment, The NASCAR Foundation will also designate this weekend's proceeds from the sale of NASCAR Day pins to help fulfill future wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Visit www.nascar.com/nascarday to learn more.