CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kyle Busch unveiled his special paint scheme for the Coca-Cola 600 (May 26 at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) with the help of the parents of fallen Army Sgt. Dale Griffin.
Griffin’s name will adorn the No. 18 Red, White and Blue M&M’s Toyota of Busch – the defending winner of the Coca-Cola 600 – as part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance. Griffin’s parents, Dona and Gene, were on hand for the car unveiling with their son’s name across the top.
With help from the family of Sergeant Dale Russel Griffin, @KyleBusch unveils his car for the #CocaCola600.#NASCARSalutes | @CLTMotorSpdwy pic.twitter.com/WO07hbtMqW
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 8, 2019
“To have the opportunity to carry a fallen members name on our race car is the ultimate honor really,” Busch said. “To be able to meet those families, spend time with those families and have the opportunity to get their story and to know more about them and to hear exactly who we’re honoring and what we’re honoring is what means so much to me and the rest of the field.
“It means a lot to be able to go to Victory Lane and to celebrate there. To have the family with us to be able to celebrate as well. It’s another little token of appreciation to what this whole program is about. But first and foremost, it’s about running the 600 miles with Sgt. Griffin’s name on our car this year.”
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With the paint scheme, Busch campaigned for and will wear a red, white and blue fire suit and helmet similar to the look of the car.
As part of the unveiling, Charlotte Motor Speedway announced that at the conclusion of Stage 2 of the Coca-Cola 600, the field will come down pit road for a moment of remembrance. The 400-lap race is four stages with each stage running 100 laps.
“It’s going to be received well for what it signifies and honors,” Busch said of the planned mid-race moment of remembrance. “It’s a big deal for us and for our sport to be able to honor our fallen.”