racewriter's Blog

This weekend while some of us are packing the car with tail gating goodies and coolers full of suds, there will be a group of our nation’s most important men getting ready to be a part of the NASCAR pre-race celebration at Texas Motor Speedway.

One of the cool things about having hundreds of sponsors involved in this sport is that there are a few that rise above the others.  The U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. National Guard and the U.S. Air Force being the top four in my opinion.  In this time of mixed opinions as to whether our men and women should be overseas fighting for the freedom of others, we are reminded by these specialty wraps on NASCAR cars that no matter what our opinions may be, these are our boys and our girls, doing what they believe is the right thing to do.  When those cars sit under the flag while the anthem is sung and the military jets fly over there is a short time when it feels as if the entire grandstand area, pit road and even inside the media rooms and TV studios that we are all on the same page….proud to be Americans.

This Sunday at Texas, we’ll see the No. 8 roll out with it’s now familiar U.S. Army wrap glistening on the black background, and with it will come a touching story.

Along with the Army's prerace pageantry for Sunday's Samsung 500, the No. 8 team will be introduced to a special guest - Staff Sergeant Kenneth Thomas -- a hometown hero from Utopia, Texas, located approximately 85 miles northwest of San Antonio.

Thomas, 23, a member of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division out of Ft. Hood, Texas, was awarded the Silver Star, a decoration for gallantry in combat.

Thomas' heroic action on Feb. 16, 2007 resulted in a number of his comrades' lives being saved while his boat patrol platoon was under attack by heavy enemy fire on the Tigris River -- 20 miles north of Baghdad.

"I got so excited when I was told that I would be going to a NASCAR race," said Thomas, who joined the Army following his 2002 graduation from Utopia High School. "This is really an honor for me. I've seen races on television and they look like a lot of fun. I just can't wait to get there."

Thomas will be accompanied to Sunday's race by his platoon sergeant in Iraq -- Sgt. 1st Class Allen Johns.

"When I hear stories about our soldiers like Mr. Thomas, I do sit back and reflect about what an awesome honor it is to wear the Army uniform," said Martin, a 35-time NASCAR Cup winner. "I am so proud to represent our soldiers and drive their car."

The Army will also have a visible presence during Sunday's national anthem. The 36th Infantry Division Band out of Austin, Texas will play The Star Spangled Banner while 50 Army Reserve and Army National Guard soldiers from Ft. Worth will hold the 30-by-60-foot flags of the United States and Texas.

The 1st Cavalry Division from Ft. Hood will provide the color guard for the national anthem along with 56 soldiers, who will hold the state and territory flags. 

As at every NASCAR race, the military is represented both on the ground and in the air as the fans get excited for the green flag.  This week I’ll be looking for these Army fellows with a special thought in mind. My son just enlisted and is in his first weeks of basic training. He joins my older son who is in his 7th year serving in the Air Force.  Am I worried? Afraid that they have chosen a career that could have them criticized by fellow Americans? No, not one bit, because I know that while we can all agree to disagree about the what if’s and why’s of our involvement overseas, it’s a fact that my boys, along with millions of other folks family members are willing to give their lives to allow others to know the freedom and confidence that the American way offers. 

Of all the things my children could have chosen to do with their lives, I believe they have chosen the most honorable career that is out there.  So when the flag flies at Texas and the U.S. Army members that are there stand with pride, I too will be standing, with an overwhelming sense of love for my country and my boys.

Thank you NASCAR. And thank you to each and every speedway that takes so much of their time and effort to make sure that at every single race our men and women are honored, remembered and treated as champions and celebrities…because they are.