NASCAR driver Ross Chastain likes going fast on a race track. Something that he always has time to slow down for, however, are the children at Mooseheart.
Chastain will stop at Mooseheart , between North Aurora and Batavia, from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 while on his way to NASCAR’s Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400, in Kansas City, Kan. Sunday, Oct. 24. Chastain drove the No. 42 Moose-emblazoned Chevrolet Camaro in four races this year. A member of Tice and the Shores, Fla. Lodge 1297, Chastain is a spokesman all year for the Moose and its missions.
“We are excited to have Ross make a pit stop at Mooseheart Saturday, Oct. 23 to visit with the students,” Moose CEO Scott Hart said. “It will be his second visit to our campus, but his first as a fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver.”
During his visit, Chastain will interact with Mooseheart students in various Halloween-themed activities that are planned, weather permitting, near the campus’ Erie Home. The visit marks a return to Mooseheart for Chastain, who met students and staff in 2020.
“You wouldn’t know that (Chastain) was a rising star among motorsports elite drivers, because he has the same humble and gracious character he possessed as a child growing up on his family’s watermelon farm in central Florida. Ross has made visits to our Moose lodges during NASCAR race weekends and our members have enjoyed connecting with him as a fellow Moose member,” Hart said.
Chastain’s 2020 visit to Mooseheart came while he was racing on the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing. This season, Chastain stepped into a full-time NASCAR Cup Series ride with Chip Ganassi Racing. Next season, Chastain moves to drive the No. 1 Camaro with Trackhouse Racing Team.
Chastain has finished in the top 10 on eight occasions this season, including a runner-up finish in the Ally 400 in Nashville in June. Chastain finished third September 5 at iconic Darlington Raceway in the Southern 500.
“We’ve had fun watching the No. 42 Moose Fraternity car race around the track at speeds in excess of 180 mph, but it is even better to know that Ross carries with him the message that Mooseheart is here to help children reach their full potential. It may be pumpkin pie season, but I think we’ll see a few watermelon slices shared this weekend. And who knows, the “Watermelon Man” may be smashing one on the start/finish line at the Kansas Speedway on Sunday,” Hart said.
Founder’s Day is the annual celebration when Mooseheart remembers the 1906 entry into the Fraternity of James J. Davis, who transformed The Moose and made his dream of a campus for children come true.
Over the years, Founder’s Day has become a weekend-long celebration and various events are sponsored by the Michigan Moose Association and the Ohio Moose Association.
The centerpiece of the weekend is a 9 a.m. ceremony at the campus’ House of God. Following a ceremony in which Davis’ contributions to the Fraternity are recognized, the Michigan Moose Association provides each graduating senior with a wristwatch. Greenville, Ohio Lodge 329 provides letter jackets for Red Ramblers athletes while Indian Lake, Ohio Lodge 1533 provides letter jackets for Mooseheart music students.
In addition to Chastain’s visit, Saturday afternoon will be marked by hay rides and Mooseheart students visiting an on-campus haunted house
All events are free and Saturday’s celebrations are open to the public. All outdoor events are scheduled weather permitting. Mooseheart is on Illinois Route 31, 1.5 miles north of I-88 between North Aurora and Batavia.
—Mooseheart