Page 262 - 2019_NPPG_digital copy

That genetic code goes way back … Service members were also acknowl- glimpsed a bold future embodied in air-

edged during the Memorial Day Week- craft like the Lightning, Wildcat, Mustang
On the Fourth of July, 1969, the Fire- end with “600 Miles of Remembrance,” and Marauder – names that eventually
cracker 400 at the Daytona International as NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series found their way onto the quarter-panels
Speedway put a national spotlight on the drivers placed the names of fallen of fast cars built in the U.S.A.
Medal of Honor, the highest award for service members on their windshields
valor that can be given to an individual during Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor These military men and women came
serving in the Armed Services of the Speedway. It was the second consecu- home, leaving behind dreary days
United States. LeeRoy Yarbrough won tive year for the tribute. Fans across driving drab olive-green tanks, Jeeps
that 160-lap competition. Rounding out the nation participated via and trucks to daydream about low, sleek
the top five were Buddy Baker, Donnie #NASCARsalutes. boulevard cruisers doused in neon-pas-
Allison, David Pearson and Richard tel colors, drenched in chrome and
Petty. In 1973 the Medal of Honor race Team members chose the names of sporting big fins that kissed the sky.
returned to Daytona, this time with fallen warriors to be honored. For exam-
Pearson in the winner’s circle. Petty took ple, Denis Miranda’s name appeared on It’s no coincidence that Capt. Chuck
second; Baker, third. Kyle Larson’s car. Miranda, who died in Yeager shattered the sound barrier
Afghanistan, trained in Basic Underwa- (October 14, 1947) within shoutin’ dis-
The tradition started by Bill France ter Demolition/Seal training with Graham tance of the date Bill France launched
Senior was revived nearly a decade ago: Molatch, a jack-man for the Larson’s NASCAR (February 21, 1948). Yeager’s
Last year was the eighth consecutive No. 42. Marine Lance Corporal Scott comfy West Virginia drawl sounded like
year that Congressional Medal of Honor Lynch, who served with tire-changer it belonged more to a pre-war bootlegger
recipients were recognized, specifically: Mark Singleton, was honored on Jamie than a go-fast, post-war fighter pilot.
Captain Florent Groberg, Staff Sergeant McMurray’s No. 1 car. Jeffrey Bohr Jr.,

Ty Carter and Command Sergeant Major a gunnery sergeant who died during During the tumultuous, lifestyle-chang-
Gary Littrell. The three were invited to Operation Iraqi Freedom, was honored ing, post-war bracket between 1945 and
the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered on Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 car. 1950, speed was in the air; so was com-
By Coca-Cola, where they were invited petition. Aerodynamics pushed military
to a special luncheon, attended drivers’ “NASCAR’s long-standing tradition of aircraft and race cars into new directions
meetings, and participated in pre-race honoring the U.S. Armed Forces will and beyond old thresholds: Mach 1st,
ceremonies. never waver,” says Brent Dewar, Chief may have been big news in 1947, but it
Operating Officer of NASCAR. “It is wo- was ancient history by 1953, when Scott
Xfinity Series drivers showed apprecia- ven into the fabric of our sport,” Crossfield hit Mach 2nd.
tion for military personnel at last year’s
Firecracker 250 by posting the names To learn why is well-worth some digging: NASCAR’s inaugural race at Charlotte
of active military units and installations Speedway on June 19, 1949, with Bob
from all five branches on their car wind- The seeds of speed planted deep in Flock in the pole position at the dirt track
shields. Gestures such as these have America’s consciousness during World oval, offered up a top speed of 67.958
flourished because of what NASCAR War Two yielded a vast nationwide mph. By comparison, just a few years
calls its “collective expression of rever- harvest in the post-war years. Soldiers, later, Flock’s pole speed at the 1953
ence, respect and gratitude for those Sailors, Marines and Airmen returned Southern 500 hit 107.983 miles per hour
who have served and continue to defend to their homeland from places named – so much had technology, driving skills
the United States.” Normandy, Okinawa, and Sicily having and tracks progressed.

262 THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2019 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE