Elliott, NAPA drive awareness for Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
The JR Motorsports Chevrolet driven by defending NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott this weekend will sport a new patriotic look. The reason behind it is further cause to remember those who served.
The JRM No. 9 team will join several NASCAR organizations in flying the United States red, white and blue this weekend, both as part of the overarching NASCAR Salutes initiative and specifically through a campaign to drive awareness to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. NAPA Auto Parts, Elliott's primary sponsor and an IFHF partner, launched the campaign Thursday, a day before opening practice at Daytona International Speedway.
The IFHF program is intended to raise awareness of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, not just for veterans returning from active duty but also their families. The non-profit organization, which operates three Intrepid Spirit Centers near military bases in the U.S., claims it has provided more than $150 million in support of families of military personnel killed or wounded in service since its inception in 2000.
Elliott, third in the XFINITY standings entering Saturday's Subway Firecracker 250 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM), said he plans to take time out from his weekend schedule to meet with military members and their families at the 2.5-mile track.
"It's an honor to carry the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund on the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet this weekend at Daytona," Elliott said in a release provided by the team. "NAPA does a great job with this program and I'm excited to represent them under the lights at Daytona. Saturday's meet-and-greets with the Honorary Pit Crew Members will be fulfilling experiences, knowing the sacrifice each has given to our country. I have so much respect for our military and can't wait to show these guys a great time. NAPA has a tremendous amount of admiration for the men and women who fight for our freedom and I'm looking forward to celebrating them this weekend."