During last weekend's O'Reilly Thunder Valley Fun Ford Weekend Nationals, one local boy had the opportunity to spend the day being treated like a king. At least that is how he described it.

Shepherd Eggers, an eight-year-old student at Bristol's Haynesfield Elementary, was invited by Kim "Pinto" Pinepinto, Fun Ford Weekend event director, after a chance meeting in the Memphis airport.

Pinepinto and his wife were coming to Bristol for last weekend's event. Shepherd and his mother were returning from St. Jude's Children's Hospital, where he undergoes treatment for a brain tumor discovered when he was only three.

After learning that Shepherd lived only a few minutes from Bristol Dragway, the Pinepintos asked him to attend the event as their guest.  Upon describing his experience, the excitement was obvious in Shepherd's voice.

"Last night ([Saturday)], I got to sit in a bunch of the cars. I got to get in one of those long cars with skinny tires ([dragster])," said Shepherd.  "I like the jet cars because they rattle the windows, and I got a bunch of hats and a toy car!" 

When asked about his favorite moments, Shepherd had a hard time narrowing his answer to just one thing.

"I like how the cars go through the water and spin their tires," he said, describing the cars performing burnouts in front of him.  "And, this is my first time here, so my brother and me got funnel cakes and they were good."

Shepherd, who attended with his mother and father and 12-year-oldbrother, Garrett, was able to watch the race from event sponsor O'Reilly's suite.  His father said the experience was one that helped the entire family forget about Shepherd's medical issues.

"This is a thrill for all of us," said his father, Brandon. "When they told us to come out, we thought we would get free tickets and sit in the stands, this is great for Shepherd.

"He has to go back every six months for MRIs to check for new growth on the tumor; it's been real slow growing.  As far as I'm concerned, it could be much worse though.  St. Jude's has been wonderful, and now the Fun Ford people and Bristol Dragway have been great letting us do this."

Even with St. Jude's help, Shepherd's medical bills are large, and the family appreciates any help they receive.  Anyone interested in helping can contact Shepherd's mother, Trisha, at eggerst@btcs.org or (423) 943-4853.