Windshield Tribute Part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 23, 2016) – This year’s race at the Coca-Cola 600 will be particularly special for Brian Scott and the No. 44 Twisted Tea team, as Scott will honor a close friend from Idaho on his Ford Fusion as part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance.
On April 12, 2007, SPC John G. Borbonus, a member of 4th Brigade, 25th Division’s Troop B Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition Team (RSTA), was stationed in the eagle’s nest at Patrol Base Dog, in Baghdad, Iraq guarding the south and southwest quadrants. At approximately 1600, Borbonus was manning his M240B and noticed an enemy truck speeding directly toward the patrol base’s main gate. He immediately laid down a continuous stream of fire at the quickly approaching vehicle which resulted in killing the driver and stopping the truck from entering into the base’s main gate. The truck continued to coast past the gate and detonated along the wall resulting in the heroic loss of Borbonus. His heroic actions that day saved many Soldiers lives and he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Borbonus grew up in Idaho with Scott and both attended Boise High School as well as played lacrosse together. Borbonus joined the Army on July 16, 2005 and began training for the Special Forces as an Army Ranger.
NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance is an initiative to honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in active duty service defending the country during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway by featuring their names on the windshield of Sprint Cup Series cars. SPC Borbonus will replace Scott’s name on the windshield of the No. 44 Twisted Tea Ford Fusion at the Coca-Cola 600 race.
“I am extremely honored at the opportunity to pay tribute to my friend John,” Scott said. “He was a hero that saved many lives and to be able to honor his family and have him ride along with me for the 600 Miles of Remembrance.”
Scott will race in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. The Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast on FOX and SiriusXM Radio Channel 90.
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with drivers Aric Almirola and Brian Scott. Almirola will return to the iconic No. 43 Ford with partners Smithfield Foods, STP, United States Air Force and the “Fresh From Florida” campaign. Scott will make his debut with the team and drive the Petty Family No. 44 Ford. Albertsons Companies, Shore Lodge, Twisted Tea and GoBowling.com will join Scott as he competes for Rookie of the Year in his first full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series. Richard Petty Motorsports will also field the No. 43 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR XFINITY Series with driver Jeb Burton, who will compete in his first full-time XFINTY season with partner J. Streicher. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.
