NASCAR driver boosts vets' morale at 200 mph
By Rebecca Angel Baer
CNN
Fri May 25, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski's foundation helps those who have served the U.S.
Checkered Flag Foundation's Race 2 Recovery program honors wounded veterans
Honorees spend race weekend as racer's guest, and he drives around the track at full speed
"I believe in charity in action," Keselowski says
(CNN) -- Brad Keselowski is once again a contender in this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but off the track he is championing a cause dear to his heart.
Keselowski, known for hanging an American flag out his window whenever a victory lap is warranted, started the Checkered Flag Foundation to support anyone who has "sacrificed greatly for America."
The foundation centers around the Race 2 Recovery program, which serves wounded veterans. Several race weekends a year Keselowski and his foundation, run by former Navy Lt. Andrea Ross, work with local Veterans Affairs hospitals to bring vets and their families to the track for a VIP experience.
read more here
Showing posts with label NASCAR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NASCAR. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
Marine, family get flight over speedway
Marine, family get flight over speedway
By Tony Graf Sun-Times Media September 18, 2011
JOLIET — The blimp flew over the massive speedway and turned to face the heart of Will County, with creeks winding through amber and green farm fields.
The enjoyment of a racing weekend and the freedom of the open horizon were made possible by veterans’ service to America.
Master Sgt. Jim Starr of Shorewood, a Marine veteran who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, received a free flight on the Goodyear Blimp during this racing weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet.
Starr and his family participated in the flight and received free tickets to the weekend races, in a joint effort by SupportOurTroops.org and Goodyear.
Jim thanked these two organizations and NASCAR for rolling out the red carpet for his family.
The blimp descended on Joliet Regional Airport on Saturday afternoon. Jim, his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Easton, 5, and Keagan, 3, boarded for an hourlong ride that would take them over Joliet and swing around the speedway site before Saturday’s race.
“The boys have never even been up in an airplane. This will be their first time flying,” Jim said.
read more here
By Tony Graf Sun-Times Media September 18, 2011
JOLIET — The blimp flew over the massive speedway and turned to face the heart of Will County, with creeks winding through amber and green farm fields.
The enjoyment of a racing weekend and the freedom of the open horizon were made possible by veterans’ service to America.
Master Sgt. Jim Starr of Shorewood, a Marine veteran who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, received a free flight on the Goodyear Blimp during this racing weekend at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet.
Starr and his family participated in the flight and received free tickets to the weekend races, in a joint effort by SupportOurTroops.org and Goodyear.
Jim thanked these two organizations and NASCAR for rolling out the red carpet for his family.
The blimp descended on Joliet Regional Airport on Saturday afternoon. Jim, his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Easton, 5, and Keagan, 3, boarded for an hourlong ride that would take them over Joliet and swing around the speedway site before Saturday’s race.
“The boys have never even been up in an airplane. This will be their first time flying,” Jim said.
read more here
Thursday, June 4, 2009
NASCAR stops all for moment of silence on Memorial Day!
I just got off the phone with someone who was there. He asked about my trip to Washington and then he told me this. He said that everyone in the crowd was misty. What a wonderful way to honor the men and women that paid the price with their lives! Amazing video!
NASCAR Pauses for Moment of Silence
Drivers, Crews, Fans Honor Fallen
Heroes
Updated: Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:40 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:00 PM EDT
By EMILY STONE/myfoxdc
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Just as Americans across the country stopped their holiday barbeques and celebrations Monday to remember their country's fallen heroes, drivers and fans at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina did the same.
In a moving tribute, NASCAR officials brought the race to a halt at lap 166, bringing out the red flag and joining the nation in a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to honor U.S. veterans and servicemen and women. NASCAR threw out the yellow caution flag at lap 163, and the drivers came to a stop three laps later— shutting off their engines on the frontstretch at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Crew members lined pit road to observe the moment of silence, and flags were at half staff all around the track.
The crowd, at least for the most part, was also quiet during the tribute. Some drivers, like Tony Stewart, waved small American flags out the window of their cars as they drove to a stop.
The 600-mile race was scheduled to be run on Sunday, but it was delayed and pushed to Monday due to rain in the Charlotte area.
President Barack Obama called on the nation stop at 3 p.m. local time and observe the National Moment of Remembrance . He also proclaimed Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.
Watch video of NASCAR's tribute by clicking on video to the left.
NASCAR Pauses for Moment of Silence
Drivers, Crews, Fans Honor Fallen
Heroes
Updated: Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:40 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 25 May 2009, 4:00 PM EDT
By EMILY STONE/myfoxdc
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Just as Americans across the country stopped their holiday barbeques and celebrations Monday to remember their country's fallen heroes, drivers and fans at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina did the same.
In a moving tribute, NASCAR officials brought the race to a halt at lap 166, bringing out the red flag and joining the nation in a moment of silence at 3 p.m. to honor U.S. veterans and servicemen and women. NASCAR threw out the yellow caution flag at lap 163, and the drivers came to a stop three laps later— shutting off their engines on the frontstretch at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Crew members lined pit road to observe the moment of silence, and flags were at half staff all around the track.
The crowd, at least for the most part, was also quiet during the tribute. Some drivers, like Tony Stewart, waved small American flags out the window of their cars as they drove to a stop.
The 600-mile race was scheduled to be run on Sunday, but it was delayed and pushed to Monday due to rain in the Charlotte area.
President Barack Obama called on the nation stop at 3 p.m. local time and observe the National Moment of Remembrance . He also proclaimed Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace.
Watch video of NASCAR's tribute by clicking on video to the left.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)