The seed was planted by writer David Poole in an effort to assist the needs of Wessa Miller and her family. Wessa has spina bifida and her story was told in a heart-touching feature in the Charlotte Observer. And this weekend the NASCAR community gave the fund a financial shot in the arm.
Racing fans know the story of the little girl who gave Dale Earnhardt a lucky penny the day before he won the 1998 Daytona 500. Of course, Wessa is the little girl who gained fame for giving the Intimidator the penny that he glued to the dashboard of his No. 3 Chevrolet on Feb. 15, 1998. Later that year, at Bristol, Earnhardt presented the family a new van to help the family in its daily needs.
Eleven years later, the Miller family returned to Bristol on Saturday. Wessa met a number of drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., her favorite driver. NASCAR Angels will highlight her story and return to Bristol on an episode to air the weekend of May 9-10.
