If you are a motorsports fan, then you know that Memorial Day weekend is a dream come true. There's the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco, the Indianapolis 500, all culminating Sunday night when Nascar runs the Coca Cola 600. These are races steeped in tradition and history. This year will be the 100th running of the Indy 500, and who better to drive the pace car in this race's centennial running than the legendary A.J. Foyt. When the engines fire for this year's Coke 600, it will be the 53rd time that has happened. All three races are exciting and provide heaven on earth for every motorsports junkie, but only one captures the real meaning behind Memorial Day.
Nascar racing is the most patriotic sport in America. Its fans are the blue collar, hard working, backbone of this country and it shows in the pre race ceremonies every weekend. Every race starts with the presentation of the flag, a prayer for the safety of the drivers, fans and military, and a performance of the national anthem (this can vary from week to week as far as how well it's performed. But that's another post). But Charlotte Motor Speedway always goes the extra mile for the Memorial Day weekend classic.
While most pre race shows will feature soldiers and give fans the chance to applaud, cheer and show their appreciation for their valiant service, CMS takes it one step further. Their pre race shows feature hundreds of soldiers marching in formation along the frontsreach, Black Hawk helicopters flying in over the infield grass with servicemen/women jumping out and tanks firing shots into the air. It really is a sight to behold and really fires up the crowd. The actual pre race ceremonies, in addition to the prayer and the Star Spangled Banner, usually have a twenty one gun salute, the Pledge of Allegiance and a lone bugle playing taps. This really helps to capture the somber side of Memorial Day after the pre race spectacle of military machinery.
Another cool aspect of this weekend is the paint schemes that some teams will run. Drivers like Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt, Jr, sponsored by the U.S. Army and National Guard respectively, run special patriotic schemes throughout the year. A.J. Allmendinger is also racing a Ford sponsored by the U.S. Air Force this weekend.
But the coolest thing is the teams that are not sponsored by branches of the Armed Services that also step up to the plate. Dave Blaney's #36 Golden Corral team is running a special scheme in support of Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Golden Corral is also hosting its annual Military Appreciation Monday following Veterans Day. They will offer free "thank you" meals to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, while also raising money for the DAV. Last year, more than 375,000 meals were served to our bravest men and women and more than $1 million was raised for the DAV.
Another team raising awareness for our veterans for the second year in a row is David Reutimann's #00 Aaron's team. Aaron's is continuing it's partnership with the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF), an organization that serves the needs of returning servicemen and women and their families, such as living expenses, travel expenses and housing improvements. Since Reutimann scored a solid top five in last season's Coke 600, Aaron's was able to donate $20,000 to the AFF and they will be hoping to donate some more money to this very worthy cause this season. The car also encourages fans who want to donate to text AFF to 50555 to make a $10 donation.
Kevin Harvick will also run a special "stealth" scheme on his Budweiser Chevy. The car will have "Here's to the Heroes" emblazoned across the hood, a campaign started by Bud to help benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF). FHF provides scholarships to family members of those killed or disabled in service to their country. They will also donate $100 for every home run hit in the 2011 Major League Baseball season, as well as a portion of sales in the weeks leading up to the Fourth of July, all in an effort to raise $2 million dollars for FHF.
So while all of the races on Memorial Day weekend are exciting and entertaining in their own right, only one encompasses what the weekend is truly about before the excitement and entertainment begins. Nascar truly is America's sport and it shows on holiday's like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The drivers, teams and fans all know that without our military fighting to keep this nation free, they wouldn't be able to show up every weekend and race cars all day. So taking some time before embarking on stock car racing's longest night to remember, reflect, be thankful and, in some case, raise some money to help give back to America's bravest, is the least they can do. Freedom truly isn't free and they recognize that.
So while you're watching all the racing from all over the world this weekend, having your barbecues and visit friends and family, take some time to reflect and remember those who have fought and died to make all of those things possible. Thank you to all our servicemen and women and their families for your sacrifice and your bravery. But especially on this weekend, thank you to those who have paid the ultimate price in service to this great nation. It truly is appreciated and you are not forgotten. So God bless all the drivers racing this weekend and keep them safe, God bless those of you traveling this weekend and God bless our military, their families and the United States of America.
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