What started as a participant’s passion has grown into a family mission. Christian first joined the Drive for 155 — DuPage PADS’s annual endurance karting fundraiser — as a competitor, drawn to the idea of racing for something bigger than a podium finish. He’s now one of the event’s primary organizers, and the Weir family’s commitment runs deeper still — Christian’s mother Tami served on the DuPage PADS board for six years, making this a true family effort rooted in years of hands-on involvement.
Each year, around fifteen teams gather at Kart Circuit Autobahn in Joliet, Illinois for a multi-hour endurance race — competing not just for position on track, but in raising funds to provide critical housing, sustenance, and emergency support to families across DuPage County. Since the event’s founding, the Drive for 155 has raised over $1.8 million for the cause.
But the commitment doesn’t stop when the checkered flag falls. Every winter, Christian and the team bring direct, personal outreach to children navigating tough times — because advocacy goes far beyond writing checks.
“We race to win on the track, but the biggest victory is our community coming together together to ensure a family secures a safe place to sleep tonight.” — Christian Weir
The Drive for 155 returns on July 18, 2026
Racing to End Alzheimer’s – This Cause is Personal
Christian’s grandfather Thomas was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than ten years ago — and the toll this disease takes on a family is something the Weirs know firsthand.
What began as a decal on a junior formula car grew into a full partnership. During the 2025 GR Cup season, Christian carried the iconic “names” livery on his No. 71 Toyota GR Cup car — featuring the names of real families’ loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s, turning every lap into a tribute.
New medications have helped slow the progression of Thomas’s disease, a reminder of why funding this research matters so much. For a $250 donation, a loved one’s name and hometown is placed on a car — a meaningful way to honor someone while directly supporting the fight for a cure
“Every lap I run in that car is for my grandfather and every family fighting this disease.” — Christian Weir
