Warsaw Boy Gets His Wish

NASCAR racing star Jeff Gordon is going to meet one of his biggest fans this weekend.

He's not the largest in stature, as millions of adults will fill the stands and couches this weekend to see if the popular driver can win again.

Matt Jackson, a fourth-grader who attended Lincoln Elementary in Warsaw, took a limousine this morning to the Fort Wayne airport. Once there, he boarded a plane to North Carolina to see his hero, Gordon, qualify for the second NASCAR race of season.

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Matt and his mother will meet Gordon after qualifications for the Goodwrench Service 300 at the North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham. He will also have a chance to meet some other drivers.

But Gordon is the attraction for the 10-year-old with cystic fibrosis who has followed racing for three years.

When Gordon, a Pittsboro native, led the Rick Hendrick racing team to a 1-2-3 sweep of last weekend's Daytona 500, Matt was tuned in and watching intently.

"He watches on TV every weekend," said Bonnie Jackson, Matt's mom. "He's a big NASCAR fan."

Matt can give a play-by-play of what happened in last week's Daytona 500. When Dale Earnhardt crashed with 12 laps to go, Gordon, Dale Jarrett and Ernie Irvan were all nearby, but Matt can tell you what happened.

"Kyle Petty pushed Dale Earnhardt," said Matt. "That's how it happened."

According to Brooke Billingsley, president of Make-A-Wish foundation of Indiana, Matt's wish to meet Gordon was done as a rush wish due to the severity of his illness. He is in the end stages of cystic fibrosis, a disease he has battled since birth.

"One day he is fine, another day he can't hold his head up," said Glenna Jackson, Matt's grandmother.

Matt is the first Indiana child to request meeting Gordon as his wish. Matt and his family were put in touch with Make-A-Wish through the Parkview Hospital, where he is treated.

Jackson got in touch with the organization over a year ago.

Because of his failing health Matt hasn't been able to go back to school since Christmas break. But students and staff at the school have supported him, sending two of his favorite foods, Spaghettios and Cracklin Oat Bran.

Matt's grandma appreciates all the help they have received from the community.

Jackson, who has decorated her living room with clippings on Gordon with Matt's help, also enjoys racing. She recalled that Matt told her he liked Gordon when he found out he prays before his races.

"I don't know which car I'll get to ride in," said Matt, anticipating this weekend's meeting.

"I've wanted to meet him ever since I knew about him," he said. "I always talk about him."