CEDAR LAKE | Kindergartner Nathan Splant was "big man on campus" at Lincoln Elementary School recently when his parents, Phil and Kimberly Splant, of Dyer, arrived with No. 52, their Limited Late Model stock car.
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students got a close up look at the car and heard the roar of the engine. Phil Splant answered questions about racing and race car safety and the Texas Roadhouse Armadillo mascot also greeted the children during their lunch hour and recess.
"He was very excited," said Kim Splant of her son's reaction when his class visited.
He should be, since the front hood of the car is emblazoned with his name in honor of the Nathan C. Splant Foundation, founded in 2007 by his parents to help families who, like they, face the challenges and expense of raising a child born prematurely.
Nathan weighed less than 2 lbs. and was only 12 inches long when he was born 15 weeks prematurely in 2004. He spent 108 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Community Hospital in Munster and was discharged with an oxygen tank and heart monitor. Today, he healthy and happy.
"He still takes physical and occupational therapy for a sensory disorder and strength issues, but it's fixable, and we are very positive," explained Kim Splant.
In addition to the educational experience, the school visit served to promote the foundation's annual Racing for Babies fundraiser May 29 at Illiana Motor Speedway, 7211 U.S. 30 in Schererville. Stands open at 4 p.m., qualifying starts at 5:30 and the first heat race begins at 7, with features getting underway at 8.
A race car driver for more than 20 years, Phil Splant has turned his hobby into a cause. "We can't thank Illiana owner Mike Mikuly enough for hosting our event for five years," said the 2007 Illiana track champion in the Limited Late Model division.
"We do it for fun, but also for a cause," Splant said of his racing.
A number of local businesses are pitching in to support the event, and the night will include prize drawings and a 50-50 drawing conducted by the Hooter girls from Schererville and Merrillville. Donate to the Racing for a Cause and Give $5 Program and have your name on the front hood of No. 52, donated by Five Star Race Car Bodies, or make a $5 donation May 29 and autograph the hood. Supporters can also sponsor a race lap for $25 or more and have their name announced and printed on a banner. "There are 20 laps in each feature, and six divisions, so we hope to raise a lot of money from sponsors," said Kim Splant.
To donate, visit www.ncsplantfoundation.org.
The foundation provides direct help to families of premature children with needs the Splant family understands only too well. "We've bought a wheelchair, purchased a special needs bike and paid medical expenses," Phil Splant said, as well as donating to Community Hospital's NICU and supporting the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Racing for Babies Night
WHERE: Illiana Speedway, 7211 U.S. 30 in Schererville
WHEN: Saturday, May 29. Stands open at 4 p.m., qualifying starts at 5:30, the first heat race begins at 7 and features get underway at 8.
WHY: To support the Nathan C. Splant Foundation, a public charity foundation to help local children and families through its assistance and grant giving programs. The foundation also supports prematurity research.
FYI: Visit www.ncsplantfoundation.org.
