Suddenly the guys’ weekend turned into a once–in–a–lifetime event with Marsden as the race’s honorary starter, responsible for waving the green flag to begin the competition. The experience also included access to the pre–race drivers’ meeting, pit row and Victory Lane, where Marsden’s favorite driver, Kyle Busch, celebrated a win after leading all 250 laps.
"Being over the track at the start was incredible," Marsden recalled. "The sounds, the wave of air… I felt like I was in the race myself."
Racing to Fund College
Marsden’s creative entry filled with race imagery made him the clear winner of Virginia529’s Green Flag Experience contest. The Virginia529 inVEST accounts he and his wife Diana opened for their three children, Marsden wrote, "allow us, along with the rest of the family as pit crew, to race ahead and invest in our kids’ futures so that they may finish at the top of their own personal podiums." The "pit crew" includes the children’s grandparents, who match the contributions Marsden and his wife deposit.
The Marsdens, who live in Chesapeake, Virginia, chose inVEST for its competitive fees, tax advantages and flexibility. They also like that their children can use their inVEST accounts at eligible colleges, universities and training programs around the world, including Canada, where both are from.
Virginia529’s new Smart Savers customer rewards program has given Marsden even more reason to appreciate the plan he chose. In addition to winning the Green Flag Experience, Marsden also has taken advantage of free tickets to Norfolk Tides baseball games offered to Virginia529 Smart Savers.
"I’m a fan [of Virginia529] for life," he declared.
