Saluting the United States Armed Forces, NASCAR Xfinity Series cars will bear the names of active military units and installations on their windshields during Friday’s Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. NBCSN will broadcast the race.
The 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Marine Raider Battalion and the USS New York (LPD-21) are among the military units and installations from all five branches that will replace the Xfinity logo that normally appears at the top of the cars’ windshields.
Last month, Sprint Cup teams honored 40 fallen service members in a similar tribute with 600 Miles of Remembrance at the Coca-Cola 600.
Several Xfinity teams will have personal connections to the units displayed on their cars. Driver Brendan Gaughan’s windshield will carry “23RD STS,” for the 23 Special Tactics Squadron (U.S. Air Force) from Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton, Fla. Gaughan is one of a handful of civilians recognized as an Honorary Member of the Combat Control Association.
Elliott Sadler’s windshield will be adorned with Fort Campbell to honor JR Motorsports employee Lee Langley, who served for six years at the Army base as an infantry team leader in the 101st Airborne Division. Ty Dillon and Brandon Jones both work with Hope 4 Warriors and will honor 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines and 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines from Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C.
The special windshield tribute is one of several military activities planned for the Independence Day weekend races at Daytona International Speedway, culminating with Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 on NBC.