NASCAR is a sport that requires skills and tenacity. Climbing towers is no different. The two worlds came together a few days ago on the asphalt in Portland, OR through a gracious donation by Vertical Bridge, Boca Raton, FL, and with the help of other sponsors, Legacy Telecommunications, of Gig Harbor, WA, and Talley, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, CA. The #26 car, driven by Parker Chase and owned by Sam Hunt Racing, proudly showcased the Tower Family Foundation as the primary spot on the #26 Toyota to help bring awareness to the support the foundation provides for families in the communications infrastructure space.
Driver Parker Chase commented “It was an honor to represent the Tower Family Foundation a couple of weeks ago in Portland for the Xfinity race. I’ve grown up around the tower industry and have seen over the years how important the Tower Family Foundation is to the families of injured tower climbers. Without the brave men and women that go out to stack and climb towers, cell phones would be useless so having a foundation that cares about their well-being is amazing and I would love to support the Tower Family Foundation again in dates to come.”
The Tower Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to family members of a severely injured, permanently disabled, or deceased tower workers stemming from an accident working at heights on communication structures, or other on-the-job related activities tower workers are involved in on a daily basis. Since its inception, the Tower Family Foundation has awarded over $1 million in donations and scholarships to eligible tower workers and their families.
Alex Gellman, CEO of Vertical Bridge, highlights the importance of showcasing Tower Family at the Portland race. “Vertical Bridge has been involved with up-and-coming NASCAR driver Parker Chase for several years. Leveraging this exposure for a good cause such as the Tower Family Foundation just makes sense. The Tower Family Foundation provides a meaningful and urgent solution to the families of injured tower workers. If donating the hood of Parker’s racecar to the TFF positively impacts just one person’s life, that is a huge success in my book.”
Sam Hunt, President, and Owner of Sam Hunt Racing, comments on the importance of this partnership: “Parker has been an absolute pleasure to work with through our first two NASCAR Xfinity Series races together. He’s a personable guy, has natural ability, and is having to learn a lot in a very short period of time. I feel he’s done a great job making such a quick jump to NASCAR’s second-highest division, with a lot of potential in the tank as his experience grows over the next year or two. We are proud to be partnered with Vertical Bridge and appreciate them supporting and bringing awareness to the Tower Family Foundation.”
Hunt continued: “Seeing the positive impact they have for the families of injured tower workers has been more than special. Every man and woman working on these towers not only keep our phones running, but our businesses alive too. To see them brought into the spotlight, and supported so deeply, is something I will always be proud to be a part of. I look forward to seeing Parker continue to climb the NASCAR ladder, and compete at this level more often – preferably, in a Sam Hunt Racing Toyota Supra. We are all excited to see what the future holds and what can be accomplished with like-minded, selfless people.”
The weather was not cooperative for this race. However, as a racing veteran, Parker is known to be a talented driver under wet conditions. Starting 18th, Parker drove the car into the top ten before a mechanical issue would send him to the back of the field. Parker drove the #26 Toyota Camry back into the top 10 with less than a dozen laps to go. After a late-race caution, the #26 was caught up in a wreck that ultimately retired the car.
While the race may not have turned out how driver Parker Chase or his fans intended, the Tower Family Foundation was a clear winner.
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