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Child battling cancer to go on dream trip to Daytona 500

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) 12-year-old Howell Brown couldn’t wait to tackle the games at Dave and Busters.

“I just want to win a lot of tickets, I don’t care,” joked Howell.

Playing games is fun but all the bells and whistles and lights can’t compete with Howell’s first love.

“My whole life I’ve been a NASCAR fan,” explained Howell.

And thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation, Howell will see his dream of being at the Daytona 500 become a reality.

“This is the biggest event he’s ever wanted to go to,” said Sue Brown, Howell’s mom.

He’s never been to Daytona so he’ll remember this for the rest of his life.

When Howell was nine, doctors removed a stage-four brain tumor. Radiation and chemotherapy then followed..

“He was doing fine and now the cancer has come back to his spine,” said Sue Brown.

“So were worried about that. He’s starting radiation and chemotherapy and were just hoping for the best.”

Cancer may have affected him physically but the disease is no match for Howells outlook on life.

Now, a weekend of a lifetime awaits.

“I was thrilled, its cool, gushed Howell. There’s been a lot of history at that track and hopefully I’ll get to see another driver get his name on the trophy.”

And Howell has a prediction for who that driver will be.

“Chase Elliott because he’s never won a Daytona 500,” explained Howell.

The Daytona 500 pole sitter just so happens to be Howell’s favorite driver.

He’ll cheer for the young up and coming star in person.

“I like the noise, said Howell. Sometimes I don’t wear headsets because I just love the rumble. They say more people go to the Daytona 500 than the Super Bowl.”

And among the more than 100 fans in attendance this year will be a 12-year-old boy seeing his wish come true.