The Kellymoss Racing crew is busy preparing the Racing for Children’s Porsche for the final race of the day — the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, GT3. The car’s driver, Efrin Castro, is checking out the green and white racing machine, decked out with the Children’s of Alabama logo and, more importantly, handprints from children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood disorders.
Moments later, a group of children, all cancer and blood disorder patients at Children’s of Alabama, arrive to meet Castro and other Kellymoss racing drivers and to gawk at the car that will close out the first day of competition of the 2024 Children’s of Alabama Indy Car Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park. The kids are honorary crew chiefs, Children’s of Alabama cancer and blood disorder patients selected to serve as ambassadors for Racing for Children’s.
As the kids walk up to Castro for pictures and a chance to see him and the car up close, the smile on his face is a mile wide.
"When I see these kids coming up to the car, my heart just melts, and my tears just start coming out,” says Castro.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Castro now resides in Palisades, New Jersey, where he runs the Fine Fair supermarket chain his father founded in the 1970s. When not running a successful business, Castro indulges his true passion — racing. During his pro-am career, Castro has raced in some of the world’s most prestigious races and courses, including Monza in Italy and 24 hours of Daytona. He was also Pro-Am champion of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
Now 48 years old, Castro tried to retire after a limited 2023 season but was lured back by Kellymoss team owner Victoria Thomas, who offered him the chance to drive the Children’s of Alabama Porsche.
"I wanted to come back for something with a purpose. This inspired me to continue and give it one more push,” Castro explains.
Racing for Children’s evolved organically after the parent of a little girl with cancer asked local pro-am driver Clint Guthrie to show his daughter around the garage and take her on a few laps in his Porsche. Since then, Racing For Children’s has raised over $3.5 million for treatment and research for childhood cancer and blood disorders at Children’s of Alabama. According to Executive Director of Racing for Children’s Allison Turner, less than five percent of federal medical funding goes toward pediatric cancer, a motivating metric for everyone involved in the core mission of the charitable organization.
"It's taken off in a way that we couldn't have predicted. It was very grassroots," says Turner. "It’s all about the handprints on that car and the kids that made them. Our kids are worth more than five percent,” Turner adds. “So we are in a race to fund the research to find a cure.”
Today, Racing for Children’s has grown into a recognized and well-respected name within the racing community. It is the only non-profit charity to sponsor an Indycar race, and the Kellymoss racing team is racing two cars on the Porsche Carrera Cup circuit in 2024 driven by Castro and Loek Hartog, a 21-year-old from the Netherlands.
Castro fights hard behind the wheel of the Racing for Children’s Porsche, handling the 16-turn road course like a boss, finishing the race in second place, less than two seconds behind winner Jared Thomas, a 26-year-old from North Vernon, Indiana.
But, to the children and their families fighting cancer and blood disorders, Castro and the entire Racing for Children’s team are the ultimate champions.
To learn more, visit racingforchildrens.org