News Article

Monster trophy finds its way to one special Carl Edwards fan in New York

December 6, 2007
Joe Heller

(L to R, back to front) Ron and Karen Glatter, David, and Gary Camp with Dover, with Carl Edwards' monster trophy.

David Glatter is more than just your average Carl Edwards fan.

He’s a fan and personal friend of the driver who captured the monster trophy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sept. 23, 2007. That same trophy is now proudly displayed at the Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (CPW) in Rye Brook, N.Y., courtesy of a generous donation by Glatter and Edwards, and a special delivery made by Dover officials.

On Wed., Dec. 5, Dover staff members made their way to CPW’s facility in the track’s Dodge pace car to deliver the autographed trophy to Glatter, a disabled 23-year-old resident of Yonkers, N.Y. More than 50 friends, family and staff gathered at CPW’s facility to witness Glatter’s donation of the trophy to the organization that he loves. At the assembly, Glatter spoke to those in attendance about what the trophy means to him and how proud he is to present this new source of inspiration for CPW visitors.

After numerous photographs with the monster trophy, Glatter took a victory lap around CPW’s facility in the Dover pace car – a thrill of a lifetime for this lifelong NASCAR fan with a monster-sized heart.

Carl Edwards autographs the monster trophy to David in Victory Lane following the Dodge Dealers 400 on Sept. 23, 2007. Photo by Ed Macchione

The story of David Glatter and Carl Edwards’ friendship is a remarkable one. Glatter first met Edwards in the garage area at Pocono prior to a race in 2005. After a brief chat, Edwards was inspired and promised that if he won the race, he would give Glatter the winner’s trophy.

Edwards won, and the trophy now sits proudly on the mantle in the Glatter home.

Since that race, the two have become friends and cross paths regularly at events that Glatter attends. This September at New Hampshire, the two met again, and all Glatter spoke about was his volunteer job with Cerebral Palsy of Westchester. Glatter has participated in CPW’s Home Service Program, and just this year began volunteering weekly at CPW in order to give back to the agency that has done so much for him.

Edwards wanted to help Glatter show CPW his appreciation for the volunteer job and together they decided that the next time Edwards won, he would give Glatter his trophy to donate to CPW.

Again, he didn’t have to wait long. Edwards won the next week at Dover, and delivered on his promise.