Driven by heart, this 20-year-old champion racer is a true hero for childhood cancer.

What began as a go-kart hobby at the age of four has grown into something far bigger than wins and trophies for Timmy “Mini” Tyrrell. Inspired by his childhood friend, Ella, who battled a brain tumor, Mini turned his passion for racing into a mission to help others. At six years old, he launched Mini’s Mission.

“Ella and I grew up around each other… she had a brain tumor when she was just 7, and I was 6,” explained Tyrell. “I saw the struggles they had getting to the hospital and paying bills, so I went home and asked my dad, ‘How can we help people?’”

Since then, Mini’s Mission has raised over $650,000—with this year’s goal topping it off at $800,000, the impact continues to grow. Mini races in the prestigious zMAX CARS Tour, a proving ground for future NASCAR drivers.

Now a full-time automotive technician at his family’s shops in Manassas, Convenience Tire and Auto and Mini T’s Tire & Auto, Mini balances work, racing, and philanthropy with a maturity and heart far beyond his years. His nonprofit, now an official 501(c)(3), partners with organizations like the Jeff Gordon Foundation to fund quality of life programs for children battling cancer.

For several years, Mini funneled donations to the Jeff Gordon Foundation. “Jeff really believed in what I was doing,” Mini said. “It meant a lot to be able to work with someone like him.” Now that Mini’s Mission is its own nonprofit, it continues to partner with Gordon while also operating independently to direct funding where it’s most needed.

At just 10 years old, Mini became the youngest driver to ever win a Late Model Stock Car race. Since then, he’s earned two championships and finished the 2024 season ranked third overall in the CARS Tour with 326 laps led. The series, owned by racing legends Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Jeff Burton, is considered a pipeline to NASCAR’s upper divisions.

Mini’s dream? “To race on Sundays with the Cup guys. That’s every stock car racer’s goal. I want to make a career out of it.”

“I love racing—I’ve always loved cars. I grew up at the track. My dad (Timothy Tyrell) raced when I was little, and now he supports me every step of the way.”

Senior Timothy Tyrell started an automotive shop right out of high school, out of his parents garage, and started racing in his early 20s, because of his love for cars: “He started taking me to the track when I was just a kid, and he’s been there for every win, every breakdown, every moment. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. He’s my biggest fan and my best friend.”

On June 14th, Mini’s Mission will host its 3rd annual “Mini’s Mission 225” at Dominion Raceway, offering 30 families from Walter Reed and Children’s National Hospital a weekend of hope, laughter, and high-speed fun—all expenses paid.

His family are also hosting ten families at their home here at Lake Anna for a day of fun on the water before the races.

To support Mini’s Mission you can get tickets to the raceway for the festivities and races on June 14th. Go to dominionraceway.com/minis-mission-225-cars-tour.

Jen Bailey

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