Thorburn's kids design car for NASCAR race, promote autism awareness

Chris Thorburn's kids broke out their crayons to design an epic race car.

The former NHL forward's children got to create a car for NASCAR driver Ryan Ellis to race at the New Holland 250 in Michigan on Saturday. Thorburn played 14 NHL seasons for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues.
The colorful design on the Chevy Camaro promotes autism awareness and features the phrase "Be a friend" and the hashtag "Autism Awareness" on the bumper. Thorburn's kids names, Bennett, Mary and Oscar are also featured on the side of the car.

Thorburn's oldest son, Bennett, was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Thorburn, who retired from the NHL in 2019 after 14 seasons,
told the Blues website that the family got into NASCAR after Bennett started using diecast cars to learn how to count.
The Thorburn family were thrilled to see their race car design for the first time in a video posted on the Blues Twitter.

That was not the only excitment for the family. The Thorburns got to see the car in person at Michigan International Speedway ahead of the race Saturday afternoon.