NASCAR to salute military through American Heroes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn of the Army National Guard, teaming up with NASCAR for a special tribute to the armed forces this Memorial Day seemed a natural.

"NASCAR is about people," Vaughn said Tuesday. "Everything they do is about the team approach. It's the same way with the services. Our core value is people. As technology catches up, unless you've got superior people and the teamwork to go with it, you'll never turn out on top.

"They do exactly what we do. We're very much respectful of the way they conduct their business. The tribute they give to our nation before every race that starts, their everyday caring about soldiers and the way the conduct themselves, we're very proud of them and it's a great sport to be associated with for us."

Vaughn was at Lowe's Motor Speedway to help announce the American Heroes Memorial Day salute to the armed forces that will take place at LMS prior to the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27.

Eight Nextel Cup drivers and two Busch Series drivers have agreed to participate in the tribute in a special way, as each will drive cars commemorating the various branches of the armed services during Memorial Day race weekend at LMS. It is all part of kicking off a nationwide effort to raise funds for military families in need.

Participating Nextel Cup drivers include Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, Ward Burton and Casey Mears. Busch drivers Shane Huffman and Jon Wood also are participating.

Vaughn said Gordon was instrumental in getting others involved.

"My understanding is that Jeff Gordon had a lot to do with this," Vaughn said. "Jeff Gordon attracted several other drivers and built the support behind this thing. To have 10 cars running the colors of our nation's services is a big event -- and especially right here in front of Memorial Day when we think about all those who served before us.

"It's a real commitment from NASCAR and Lowe's Motor Speedway and from these drivers and owners to do this."

Gordon said he felt privileged to be so involved.

"It's a no-brainer. The military, what they do, the men and women who put their lives on the line for our peace and our freedom ... these are the people out there who are allowing us to express ourselves in the way that we do. When you think about it like that, there is not enough that you can do for them," Gordon said.

Biffle pointed out that team owners and their sponsors were generous in donating the space on their cars that usually is reserved for product advertising.

"They're giving up quite a bit of exposure -- exposure that they've paid for," Biffle said.

The American Heroes Memorial Day Tribute is being supported by Sprint Nextel, which will conduct a national fund-raising campaign to encourage Sprint Nextel customers to support the troops with their donations to the USO.

"The USO is proud to be the beneficiary of the American Heroes campaign," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. "We thank Speedway Motorsports, Sprint Nextel, the NASCAR community and its fans for their support of our men and women in uniform and the USO. It is with great pleasure that the USO joins you in conveying our gratitude for their service and sacrifice." (Continued)