NASCAR driver surprises family back in Iowa for Thanksgiving

MOLINE, Ill. — AAA predicted more than 54 million people will travel more than 50 miles away from their homes for Thanksgiving this year, and one of those travelers stopped at the Quad Cities International Airport before he finally made it home.

NASCAR driver and Iowa native Devon Rouse stopped to chat with News 8’s Cesar Sanchez after his flight landed in the QC Wednesday afternoon. The traveler did have some difficulties during his journey home. 

“[I] flew from Charlotte this morning to Chicago, and then was supposed to go Chicago straight to Burlington where I’m from,” Rouse said. “Unfortunately, that flight got canceled.” 

Don’t worry, though, Rouse said it was no problem getting redirected to Moline. It would be 100% worth it to his family. 

“There’s not a single person that knows I’m coming home right now,” Rouse said. “This is a surprise trip. Nobody knows I’m coming home. I haven’t been home since February since I moved.”

Rouse was able to get some transportation back to Burlington, but the surprise meant he couldn’t call home for a ride.

“But now I’m very excited. We have a family reunion tomorrow, so I’ll be very excited to see the big extended family in my direct family as well,” he said. “I’m ready to get home.”

As of this publishing, Rouse is likely already home and spending some much-deserved time with the ones he loves. 

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