F4 DRIVERS IN ACTION: ENTWISTLE AND ABEL SPREAD JOY AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (June 23, 2017)- Armed with enough balloons and stuffed animals for an entire floor of children, Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda drivers John Andrew Entwistle of Katonah, New York, and Jacob Abel of Louisville, Kentucky, made their way through the burn unit at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, to spread a bit of cheer.

“Being stuck in a hospital bed is a terrible feeling,” said Entwistle after his recent stint at IU Health Emergency Medical Center from an F4 U.S. accident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We just want to bring smiles to the kids here who are in unfortunate situations, even if it’s just for a moment.”

As the pair made their way from room to room, high-fives, joke exchanges and giggles from patients, Abel and Entwistle could be heard from the hallways. The Abel Motorsports pilots even struck a friendship along the way with a 13-year-old boy named Mathis.

“Having John Andrew and Jacob stop by today was really special,” said Mathis’ grandmother Mary Logan. “He was a bit down from spending so much time here in bed. The guys really uplifted his spirits.”

After Entwistle and Abel visited with Mathis, Mathis decided he wanted to help the drivers spread joy around the floor.

“I know what it’s like to be here,” Mathis said. “I wanted to help because smiling is contagious.”

Riley is the only comprehensive children’s hospital in Indiana, serving children from all 92 counties. It offers primary and specialty care at more than 50 locations throughout Indiana and is ranked among the top hospitals in the country in 10 categories of specialized healthcare for children. Riley is part of the IU Health network that includes the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that treats drivers and fans at events, including F4 U.S. Championship drivers like Entwistle when they competed at the historic track earlier in the month.

“I don’t know who enjoyed this more, the kids or me,” sixteen-year-old Abel said. “This is an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”