Bodie Maddox wandered around the pit in a black baseball cap and a blue Folds of Honor T-shirt. He was mesmerized by the array of race cars. He has loved cars since he was a little boy. But as he got closer to one particular car, the moment took on greater meaning.
Bodie and his mother, Alex Maddox, finally set their sights on the blue, white and red No. 99 Chevrolet that Mexican-American driver Daniel Suarez drove to honor the Maddox family, which lost patriarch Chase Maddox in February 2018 when he died in the line of duty at age 26.
For the 2024 Chicago Street Race, Folds of Honor—a nonprofit that provides scholarships to the children and spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty—partnered with Jockey International and Trackhouse Racing to honor Chase and his family.
Chase was a police officer in Locust Grove, Georgia, which is about 35 miles southeast of Atlanta. Before becoming a police officer, Maddox spent six years in the Army Reserve.
The Maddoxes are huge NASCAR fans. Their last name appears on the side of the car, and the family created the artwork for the decklid. Bodie and Alex traveled from Locust Grove for the Chicago Street Race.
“It makes me feel good that we’re six years later and Chase is still just as relevant and bringing smiles to people’s faces,” Alex said.
After Maddox died, Alex left her job at Delta Airlines. She knew she wanted to help other widows and give them encouragement, to let them know they could move on. Even as she struggled with the sudden loss of her husband, she persevered.
Nearly two years after her husband’s death, Alex’s eldest son, Bradin, passed away from a rare congenital brain abnormality in October 2020.
The family lives by a mantra Chase instilled in them: The good will always outweigh the bad.
“I learned a lifetime of knowledge from that man [Chase]“It showed me that there are good things, and they are abundant, and that we are incredibly blessed.”
After having the opportunity to speak with the family, Suarez did not take the gesture lightly while competing this weekend.
“It’s very personal, not just for me, but for Jockey and the whole family,” said Suarez. “Being able to be here and represent everything they have been able to do for the countries is very special. I feel very lucky.”
Alex said Chase “lit up like a Christmas tree” when they attended a race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The two were married at that same speedway, and she said being at the Chicago Street Race was a full-circle moment for her.
Alex learned the sport from watching it with his grandfather while growing up. The two of them watched the races every Sunday.
Chase had a similar affinity for racing because his grandfather — Bodie is named after him — had racing experience. The family’s connection to NASCAR runs deep, which made this weekend even more special.
“It shows the impact Chase had in his short 26 years,” Alex added. “If he was here and saw his name on a race car at the Chicago Street Race, his jaw would drop.”
The most prominent example of Chase’s legacy is Bodie. As Bodie prepared to meet Suarez, he held what appeared to be a pack of gum and told the pilot to take one. When Suarez reached for a piece of gum, his finger got caught in a finger trap.
Like his father, Bodie is a joker.
“That was a perfect example of Chase’s life because Chase would do anything to make anyone smile,” Alex said. “Bodie having a front row seat is just an essential memory that I know we’re going to cherish and carry with us. It’s a story we’re going to tell for years to come.”
Translated by Gisela Orozco for The Voice Chicago
