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Prelude drivers revved up for military salute
ROSSBURG — There’s little give and take when the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers challenge for position on the weekends. But when it comes to the Prelude to the Dream on Wednesday, June 3, it’s all about giving.
For many of the 26 drivers — ranging from the Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, NHRA to a few other professionals in the business — the Prelude is a chance to have a little fun and raise a lot of money. This year’s charity race benefits four military-themed organizations: Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and Fisher House.
“The thing about soldiers in the military is they are some of the toughest people I have ever met,” said Eldora owner and two-time Prelude champion Tony Stewart. “There are people who have lost arms and legs and all they want to do is get healed up and get back to service. All they want to do is serve their country. If nothing else, we as civilians can support the soldiers and the men and women we have who are fighting for us and making sure that we have a nation like we have.”
So as the drivers hit the homestretch at Eldora Speedway, the cause also hits the home front. Several of the Prelude drivers have connections to the U.S. Armed Forces. Three-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson is among them.
“(My grandfather) was in a tank and he didn’t talk much about it. There were a lot of gruesome things he saw and experienced in World War II,” Johnson said. “He was one of the first tanks that busted through the walls at a concentration camp. My other grandfather was in the Navy on an aircraft carrier. I certainly have history with my family being in the Armed Forces. My wife’s brother is in the Navy as well. My brother-in-law is going through the steps to hopefully become a SEAL someday. It’s all around us.”
Other drivers have special connections as well:
• Cup driver Ryan Newman drives the U.S. Army-sponsored No. 39 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. “This is the first year with the U.S. Army on my chest and to know that there are a million soldiers out there fighting for our freedom and to have recognition for the ones who have been injured, it is really special.”
• NASCAR driver Aric Almirola also spent time in the U.S. Army Chevrolet in 2008 and used the experience to meet servicemen and servicewomen. “It was a big honor for me to be able to meet people who have fought for our country. … Hopefully we can raise a lot of money for the wounded soldiers and their families. That’s real important to me and it should be real important to everybody. A lot of times we take it for granted.”
• Cup driver Kevin Harvick’s paint schemes have included the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Coast Guard and a tribute to Sept. 11. “For us it’s pretty cool because we get to deal with that on weekly basis with our VFW sponsorship. We went to Walter Reed just to see some of the guys. Obviously it’s a very important cause for where our country is right now and all the guys ask for is support. … Most of the guys who have been hurt want to get better so they can serve again. It’s hard to believe but the enthusiasm those guys have that have been hurt is really remarkable.”
• Cup driver Brian Vickers has a friend overseas. “One of my close friends growing up is over in, I don’t know where he is because he couldn’t tell me before he left. I’m definitely thinking of him and wishing him the best. I hope he comes home safe and I appreciate what he’s doing.”
• Cup driver David Reutimann works with the Wounded Warriors Project through his sponsorship with Aaron’s Dream Machine. “Trying to help the soldiers, I think that’s something we take for granted and we all should try to do more of.”
• And perhaps NASCAR driver and former Prelude champ Kenny Wallace put it best. “We owe it to the fallen heroes to pack the grandstand. Do everything you can to get there. When you buy a ticket to the Dream it means you are supporting people who were killed in action. It can’t get any stronger than that.”
The four charities serve severely injured military personnel or fallen heroes and their families and can be found on the internet at:
• www.WoundedWarriorProject.org: To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.
• www.FallenHeroesFund.org: To support severely wounded military personnel and veterans, ensuring that those who sacrifice for our nation receive the best care possible. These efforts are funded entirely with donations from the public.
• www.OperationHomefront.net: To provide emergency assistance and morale to the troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home.
• www.FisherHouse.org: To provide “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 40 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and 10 VA medical centers. Three more are under construction.
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