Western Wish granted as Pint size cowboy heads to NASCAR with Tuff Hedeman and Jeremy Clements

FORT WORTH, Texas - March 27, 2019 - PRLog -- Celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of Western Wishes, 4-Time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman announced today he has partnered with Jeremy Clements Racing (JCR) to offer a "short pit" for 11-year-old Kaleb Dorr on Saturday, March 30 at the Texas Motor Speedway.  Hedeman and Jeremy Clements have joined forces to give Kaleb Dorr the ride of his life, not on a bucking bull, but a trip around the track with NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Jeremy Clements.

"Thanks to my buddy Jeremy Clements will have the opportunity to introduce Kaleb to NASCAR in a way most kids just dream about.  Jeremy and I know that through these experiences if we are lucky, we might just have the chance to ignite hope, and strength for Kaleb and just let him have a little fun before he faces the reality of his disease again," said Hedeman who granted Kaleb's wish of meeting him in 2017.

On Saturday, March 30, the lead car for Kaleb's trip to the Texas Motor Speedway will be JCR Car 51, and Jeremy Clements will be the center of Kaleb's trip to the track to meet and eat lunch with the JCR team, tours the car and garage. Clements has invited Kaleb and Hedeman to ride with him during the introduction lap, and then enjoy the race.

Kaleb Dorr suffers from TAR, Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius Syndrome, a rare recessive genetic syndrome that causes a unique blood disorder and limb deformities.  After enduring 12 surgeries (with more to come) and over 200 plasma transfusions, this cowboy's positive outlook on life remains remarkable. He wants nothing more than to be a team roper and a calf roper when he grows up. Kaleb is happy, outgoing, and is the first one to tell you "it'll be ok" when someone else is faced with adversity.

Since 1994, Tuff Hedeman and Donnalyn Quintanna, the founder of Western Wishes Charity, have been granting western style wishes to children faced with medical and sometimes just tragic life challenges. Through the help of dedicated professionals in rodeo and other walks of life, many celebrities including the late Luke Perry have dedicated their time and money to assisting Western Wishes. In 2014, an 8 Seconds Reunion Gala was held at Cheyenne Frontier Days with many including Luke Perry and Stephen Baldwin.

"Man, we are really excited to have Kaleb ride along with us this weekend and, also help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Western Wishes.  Thanks to my buddy Tuff Hedeman and his group we get to give Kaleb a ride of his life this weekend." Clements stated. "Western Wishes does an awesome job of turning dreams in to lasting memories and I can't wait to meet Kaleb and his family and create more memories as we take our fast RepairableVehicles.com hot-rod to the front."  Clements went on to say.

The day and week will be a dream come true for this special young man who will join Hedeman at the bull riding the following Saturday. It is not the first time the two pro athletes have joined forces. JCR #51 sported the Tuff Hedeman Tour logo during the NASCAR XFINITY Series in Las Vegas.


Sonny Burgess, director of clinical performing arts at Cook Children's Health Care System, the hospital in Fort Worth Hedeman frequents, discusses the impact of having Hedeman visit the children.

"More than anything, [the kids] are used to seeing somebody come in and give them a shot, some doctor comes in, over and over, and for somebody like Tuff to come in, what an incredible relief," Burgess says and adds, "I think that he's just got a great perspective on life and achieving things. He's very grateful for what he's got in his life."

About Western Wishes

Western Wishes specializes in granting wishes for challenged children who otherwise might not get to have experiences associated with the western lifestyle. The charitable organization is a non-profit foundation created by Donnalyn Quintanna, the former wife of the late PRCA World Champion bull rider, John Quintanna.

About Jeremy Clements Racing

Jeremy Clements was seven years old when his grandfather, Crawford Clements, famed NASCAR Owner and Crew Chief, began bringing him to the go-kart track, the beginning of a pursuit that would result in a driving career at NASCAR's national level. Clements Automotive, a company founded by Crawford Clements, is still running strong building race engines on one side and fielding Jeremy Clements' #51 car out of the other.  Crawford would surely approve of how his grandson has stayed with his career despite limited sponsorship, money crunches and an injury that derailed Jeremy's racing for a year.

About the South Point Fort Worth Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding

The South Point Tuff Hedeman Challenge (http://www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com/) is scheduled for April 6 at Cowtown Colisieum.and has become known for an action-packed three round bull riding performance that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Tuff Hedeman Contact: Leigh Ann Schroeder, 940.902.1112 or tufhedemanpr@gmail.com or www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com

Western Wishes contact: Donnalyn Quintana, www.westernwishes.org

JCR Contact: Jason Watson at jwcjr51@gmail.com or Phyllis Graziano at Phyllsjcracing@aol.com