Playfully laughing while sitting on the floor of a dedicated playroom at McLeod Children’s Hospital on Thursday, NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski visited 5-year-old Ralph Monroe. Monroe was one of several children whom the Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing driver greeted during his two-hour surprise visit.
Ahead of this weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway, where Keselowski is the defending race winner, the popular driver arrived early to spend time at the Florence, SC, hospital. Completely dressed in the Castrol fire suit he’ll wear in Sunday’s race, Keselowski went from room to room, handing out diecast cars and autographs, but most importantly, spreading joy.
“I think this is exciting,” said Ralph’s mother, Britany Jones.
As Keselowski built a wall with wooden play blocks, young Ralph gleefully rolled one of the toy replica cars, smashing through the toy tower and smiling brightly.
“We’ve been here for a couple of days, but as soon as they told us Brad was coming, it kind of perked up his spirits, and that’s really great for the kids.”
McLeod Children’s Hospital cares for more than 56,000 children a year, and Keselowski made it a priority to visit ahead of this weekend’s race, just a short distance away.
“As a father myself, visiting these brave kids hits home in a powerful way,” said Keselowski. “Spending time with these incredible children, I can see their strength and courage. It’s an honor to share a few smiles with them.”
During the visit, Keselowski also stopped by the room of Aidan Lyerly, who is at McLeod for surgery—his third since January.
“It’s very touching that somebody of (Keselowski’s) stature would take the time to come see us,” said Aidan’s mother, April Lyerly. “You look at the world and sometimes think it’s full of yucky stuff, but we as a family have been reminded through these past few months that there are good people, and God shows us his blessings through them.”
The visit was a welcomed surprise to the patients and their families, especially for those who are dedicated race fans, like the Lyerlys.
“I’ve followed Brad Keselowski for 20 years,” added Aidan’s father, Adam. “It was pretty awesome to see him. I didn’t even think this was a possibility today. It has really lifted our spirits. It really has.”
The visit, however, was not just for patients but also for the staff, who have tirelessly cared for the children and appreciated the positivity.
“To have someone come in from the outside, who is a public figure, and be able to tell us ‘thank you’—it means the world,” said McLeod Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Director Leslie Rogers. “These are our good days. We do have bad days, but Brad coming here today has made this a good day.”
About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion Brad Keselowski and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988, and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass 300 wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content, and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.