RACING ** HELL ON WHEEL'S

“NASCAR: An American Salute” launches Sunday with the Coca-Cola 600

May 22, 2015

Staff Report

NASCAR Wire Service

A major faction of Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be noticeably absent, yet far from forgotten.

They are the fallen heroes of the U.S. Armed Forces, and although their uniforms have been retired and their medals preserved – their legacies remain untouchable. It’s these legacies NASCAR pays tribute to in a special Memorial Day event featuring 600 Miles of Remembrance at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Coca-Cola 600 marks the launch of NASCAR: An American Salute™, the industry’s collective expression of reverence, respect and gratitude for those who have served and those who continue to defend. Sunday’s race will feature all 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in cars bearing the names of fallen heroes, some with more personal ties than others.

No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing driver Greg Biffle will proudly showcase the name Private Dean Van Dyke, a relative killed in Vietnam. A member of the No. 83 BK Racing team’s pit crew – Chris Clayton – will honor his relative First Lieutenant Daniel Hyde, who was killed alongside him during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The NASCAR community rallying to honor the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present, has long been part of our sport’s heritage,” said Brent Dewar, chief operating officer, NASCAR. “As part of NASCAR: An American Salute, 600 Miles of Remembrance represents a special moment in time as we pay tribute to service members who have sacrificed dearly for our freedom.” 

The Coca-Cola 600 – which is expected to host more than 6,000 active military members – is the first of several on-and-off-track activities to support the seven-week campaign, culminating Independence Day Weekend with the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Throughout the tenure of NASCAR: An American Salute, fans will have front-seat access to the stories of our nation’s military heroes on NASCAR’s social platforms. Fans, service members and families are encouraged to offer their own words of gratitude using #NASCARSalutes.

Catch live interviews with NASCAR drivers this Sunday, May 24, as they discuss 600 Miles of Remembrance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (channel 90) during a special military tribute show airing at 1 p.m. ET. The “Dialed In Salute to the Troops” special, hosted by Claire B. Lang, will highlight interviews with several drivers as well as service men and service women from various branches of the military.

Then be sure to tune in at 6 p.m. ET to see and hear the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600, broadcast live from Charlotte Motor Speedway on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM Radio. Additional live coverage can be found on NASCAR.com.

To learn more about NASCAR: An American Salute, visit www.NASCAR.com/Salute.