​ATLANTA, GA (WJBF) — NASCAR and baseball both command passionate followings in the Atlanta area. Dawsonville, Georgia native and fan-favorite NASCAR driver Chase Elliott recently unveiled a baseball-themed paint scheme crafted by a pair of pediatric patients from Children’s Healthcare Atlanta. The design, which blends Elliott’s racing pedigree with a playful baseball motif, stands as a heartfelt collaboration that highlights the power of imaginative kid-driven artwork coming to life on the track.
Adding another layer of excitement to the weekend, Braves legend and Hall of Famer Chipper Jones will serve as the Grand Marshal for Sunday’s Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway. “Any time you have a chance to race at your home track is always special, and I enjoy going down there for that reason alone,” Elliott said. “Then when you add a program like this and the significance behind it, to see their faces and to watch their ideas and drawings come to life is incredibly rewarding.”
Jones echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the journey from a child’s scribbles in an art class to a real-life race car that moves at nearly 200 miles per hour. “Do you know how many times we sat in art class as ten-year-olds, paper in hand, hoping to draw a race car that would someday come to life?” Jones mused. “Well, these kids’ race car did come to life.” His remarks underscored the emotional impact of witnessing young artists’ visions take shape on one of the sport’s most celebrated platforms.
This weekend’s event promises to fuse the fervor of stock car racing with the enduring love for baseball that characterizes Atlanta sports fans. Elliott, who captured a Cup Race victory in Atlanta last summer, is pegged to push performance toward the edge as he pilots this one-of-a-kind scheme. The combination of hometown pride and community-oriented art illustrates how sports can serve as a conduit for inspiration, mentorship, and collaboration across generations.
As the weekend unfolds, fans can anticipate a memorable display that celebrates not only competition but also the creative potential of young fans. The collaboration between Elliott and Children’s Healthcare Atlanta demonstrates how sport can honor its roots in community while elevating the experiences of participants at every level. This narrative—where a child’s artwork becomes a race-car reality—embodies the kind of story that resonates across the region, drawing in casual observers and die-hard supporters alike.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.