Four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon was a special guest at the Glenn Automotive customer appreciation luncheon at The Chattanoogan on March 21. “Jeff Gordon was in town to help us celebrate the new team of Glenn Automotive and DuPont Performance Coatings,” said Rick Glenn, company vice president. Glenn Automotive, founded in Chattanooga in 1965, became a Champion distributor for DuPont in January 2002. Another special guest at the event was eight-year-old Mark Maschenik, from Louisville, KY.  “Obviously, we are excited to have Mr. Gordon here to meet our customers, but it is even more gratifying to have been able to use this event to do something good for a very sick little boy,” Glenn said. Mark has cerebral palsy, and contracted Arnold Chiari syndrome at birth. He can walk and interact normally, but only for short distances and times.

Members of the Maschenik family, (from left) Mark, Sr.; Sasha; Jeff Gordon; Susan; and Mark, Jr.

Last year a UPS driver in Kentucky, Tim Guess, won tickets and pit passes to the NASCAR race in Talladega, AL. He donated them to the Dream Factory of Louisville, a volunteer organization which grants the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. The Dream Factory gave the tickets to Mark and his family. According to Mark’s mother, Susan, his “dream” for the trip was to get an autograph from Jeff Gordon. Unfortunately, the family missed Mr. Gordon at the race. But luckily, they met DuPont District Sales Manager Gene Ivey, who stepped in to help.

“When Gene Ivey told us about Mark, we were more than happy to invite his family to Chattanooga as our special guests for today’s luncheon,” Rick Glenn continued.  “Mr. Gordon is a big proponent of charitable causes that benefit children, and his organization went the extra mile to help us arrange this meeting. At the luncheon, Mr. Gordon not only took time to meet Mark – he brought him presents.”

“We’ve also been touched by the support of the local community,” Glenn said. “After we shared Mark’s story, The Chattanoogan offered to provide accommodations for the Masheniks, and the Tennessee Aquarium gave the entire family VIP passes to the Aquarium and the IMAX theatre.”

Below are addidtional photos from the event.