NASCAR Driver Erik Jones to Visit Local Children

Just days before competing in the DAYTONA 500, Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry, will read a short story to local children and give them a "Bookworm" vending machine with books children can keep. The visit will take place Thursday, February 15 at Blue Lake Elementary School in DeLand.

Erik Jones and The Erik Jones Foundation have partnered with AdventHealth to donate a “book vending machine." When the racecar driver founded his foundation in 2021, he made “igniting a passion for reading” part of its mission. Book vending machines have become a signature part of his community efforts after he purchased one for his former elementary school and the school saw a 300% increase in the number of kids who chose a book as their reward for being good students.

On February 18, Jones will pilot the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry in the 66th running of the DAYTONA 500, marking the first of six races he will drive the AdventHealth-sponsored car. Jones's first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series came at Daytona International Speedway in 2018.

AdventHealth serves as the Official Health Care Champion of Volusia County Schools, a first-of-its-kind partnership between a school district and major health care provider. Through this partnership, AdventHealth is committed to assisting the school district with reducing chronic absenteeism; streamlining and coordinating the care of student athletes; and creating more pathways for students to enter directly into health care related jobs following graduation.