With NASCAR Salutes and the annual Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend as the backdrop, Lance Cpl. Brooke Masten returned home to the delight of her stunned parents.
The emotional, surprise reunion came Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the live pre-race show Trackside Live, with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. playing a vital role.
Stenhouse Jr. introduced Brooke’s parents, Doug and Irene, during the show and brought them on stage to thank them for their daughter’s service and their sacrifices. Stenhouse then asked for a group photo, setting the stage for Doug and Irene to keep their backs to where Brooke was hiding.
An incredible moment on-stage at #NASCARTrackside Live!
LCPL Brooke Masten surprises her family with the help of @StenhouseJr. #NASCARSalutes pic.twitter.com/MTdvBEsGF1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 27, 2018
Brooke popped out onto the stage and posed in the photo just as her parents noticed her presence and began to cry. The three then embraced in a big hug.
“This is crazy,” Doug said. “We haven’t seen her in a while.”
An emotional Irene added: “I’m good. I’m trackside here, and I have my daughter here, so we’re all good.”
“Welcome home,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “Thank you.”
We couldn’t have said it any better, Ricky.
The Memorial Day weekend served as the launch of the annual NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola program, a time in which the entire NASCAR industry honor United States Armed Forces heroes and their families.
The Coca-Cola 600, slated to begin at 6 p.m. ET (FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) again will honor fallen servicemembers with its “600 Miles of Remembrance,” where every car in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field will display the name of a fallen servicemember across the windshield.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is hosting more than 5,000 active military members this weekend, and a pre-race Salute to the Troops will incorporate all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces in connection with the U.S. Department of Defense’s “This is Your Military” initiative.
“Throughout our sport’s history, NASCAR has held the men and women who’ve served and continue to serve in the highest regard,” NASCAR President Brent Dewar said earlier this week. “Each year, NASCAR Salutes unites our entire industry to honor and celebrate these heroes, and to reflect on the sacrifices each has made for their country.”