By JON MENTZER

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Dusty Davis made a pit stop in Las Vegas to read to students of four elementary schools, including a stop at Roundy Elementary School for the “Driven to Read” Opening Ceremony in which Davis made a special appearance and photo-op.

Davis took a brief break from the Camping World Truck Series to take time to read to students. His first stop was at Elaine Wynn Elementary School on May 24, which he read to seven 2nd grade classes. He continued at Elaine Wynn three days later on May 27 to read to six 1st grade classes.

Davis continued his tour for “Driven to Read” by stopping at Robert Forbuss Elementary School on May 31 where he read to four 1st and 2nd grade classes, and then onto Lowman Elementary School on June 2 where he read to seven 2nd grade schools.

However, it was his appearance at Roundy Elementary School on June 3, which was the main event. The event was the “Driven to Read” Opening Ceremony and the 500-Club Luncheon in which students who reached certain mile-stones could get a picture with Davis (200 miles), a pizza party (500 miles) or an ice cream party (600 miles). For every 15 minutes a student reads, he or she gets one mile.

Roundy Elementary School was where Davis helped start the “Driven to Read” program.

Davis’ aspiration for the program is to inspire children to read more and to show the benefits of reading, and more importantly to show that even a professional racecar driver finds reading fun.

“It actually inspires me to see all these students reach 200, 500 and even 600 miles,” says Davis. “It’s a great feeling to know you were a part of it; keeping them motivated along the way.”

Davis also added that the best part of the experience is to see how passionate the students are about the program.

Davis read an assortment of children’s books, which included the likes of “The Bernstein Bears and The Big Road Race”, which was a favorite of Davis’ as a kid.