02/06/2025
This one won’t be easy, but I’m not here to just share the news- I hope to share a story. A story that I hope moves you all.
I hope the emotions carry over through my words- or the words I share from others.
We, the racing community- lost a very special person far too soon. A child. A piece of the future. A very precious little girl who just was loaded with spirit and passion- she had a glow.
Elienisse Zoe Diaz was born on January 30th 2018 into a die hard racing family in Tampa. She is the daughter of Sharryl Rodriguez and J Ruben Lopez Diaz - she has two older brothers and an older sister.
Her Grandfather, Wigo Diaz owns and races a very competitive Toyota Starlet- her Father owned an EG Honda Hatchback. And they raced every chance they could get!
Her sister Bryanna has become a very talented media member with great coverage of events.
They moved to Orlando Florida when she was an infant- Elienisse has been to so many racetracks and events in her Seven years of life. Atco dragway, Orlando Speedworld, Maple Grove Raceway, Salinas Speedway just to name a few. She had the fever!!
Her father’s car was named after her, you can see her name proudly represented across the front with her grandfathers team name on the front bumper. She had her own racing team shirts too! How cool is that!
I posted in 2021 about Wigo losing his wife to cancer - it was crushing news as she was so supportive of him and his racing. As was Elienisse, you can just see in all the photos how much she loved her grandfather and boy did he love her just as much. Thinking about Wigo’s pain right now just breaks my heart.
I have 4 nieces and I’m in tears just thinking about that pain. I have photos of my nieces wearing the same “boosted baby” toddler outfit that Sharryl shared of her baby Elienisse. It just hits home and I can’t imagine the pain this entire family is dealing with.
Elienisse just celebrated her 7th birthday this past Thursday. Her older sisters birthday is actually the day after hers. Her mom described her so passionately in this Facebook post; “🎉 It's 7🎉 Today the one who leads us turns 7, 7 years of adrenaline, racing at home, the farmer (loves cows 🤦🏻 ♀️ ) the hyper who everyone thinks is so quiet and calm and at home is our hurricane cat 30! The boss of her brothers. My little spark, today you are 7 years old, how time flies wow. God bless you always and give you health and life to enjoy and achieve all your dreams!! Happy birthday my darling we love you !!!!!!”
Elienisse spent her weekend at the track, a place she loved.
Last night Orlando Speed World posted;
“The power of prayer, the tightness of the racing community, the connection that ties all of us together - it is with all this we ask you to join the family of this sweet girl tonight at 9:00 PM for the strongest and largest prayer vigil possible.
A miracle is needed, and it is at this time we need to all come together spiritually and ask for him to place his healing hands on her and take her family in his arms.
There will be a gathering TONIGHT (02.04.2025) at 9:00 PM at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida.
However, as we all know, God hears our prayers whether we are together or by ourselves in our own moments of silence. So please join us at 9:00 PM as we lift our prayers for this young girl as well as our brother and fellow OSW official, AK. “
Hundreds of people came out to support and pray together. You can find some of the live videos on their personal pages. It is very powerful.
Sharryl posted;
“My sweet angel ! Mommy will always love you for ever ! Mi fiebrua a las 10:54pm febrero 4 2025 el cielo gano un angel!”
Elienisse left us far too soon but her fever and passion will live on through all of us forever.
Orland Speed World post:
“We are deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident that took place at OSW on Sunday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Elienisse’s family, and all those affected, including our racing community. Motorsports is built on passion, but moments like these remind us of the risks that come with what we love. While injuries can heal, the pain of loss is immeasurable. We stand together in support, mourning, and prayer during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to those grieving and will continue to uplift them in our thoughts.”
You can now see the entire racing community has posted of this tragedy. She is making her rounds touching everyone’s heart in some way, that is so powerful. This is still so painful for so many reasons. My heart breaks for her mother who describes her as her spark- her father who so proudly honored her by naming his car after her. Her grandfather who just can’t seem to catch a break.
I haven’t spoken to anyone besides Jeanny from Unik before writing this- I wrote this based off the photos shared, the years of posts I went back and read. I could just see the similarities from her family to mine and it hurts to think an entire family has to find a new way to live on without this precious soul. So I wanted to- or I hope this post can shine some light on this family, this magical little girl and the special opportunity we all have to wake up tomorrow and do what we love. Please do what you love and keep that little spark inside you as long as you can - for Elienisse.
My heart is with all of you right now.
Race In Paradise Elienisse