CONCORD, N.C. (May 24, 2016) – This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR and Roush Fenway Racing will pay special tribute to the United States military as Memorial Day approaches.
In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), all three of Roush Fenway’s teams will carry a special paint scheme in honor of Memorial Day weekend. Greg Biffle’s No. 16 Cheez-It Ford will sport a red, white and blue theme, carrying stars on the lower quarter panels. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 17 Fastenal Ford also has a patriotic paint scheme carrying the red, white and blue.
Trevor Bayne’s No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion will carry the American Flag on the hood, while also supporting the SEAL Legacy Foundation. The SEAL Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to families of wounded and fallen United States Navy SEALs, educational assistance for SEALs and their families and other charitable causes benefiting the SEAL community
Stenhouse’s No. 17 Fastenal Ford will carry the name of James (Jim) Woolard on the windshield as part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance program. Woolard, who was a childhood friend of team co-owner Jack Roush, was born in 1949 and served in the United States Army. Woolard, a native of Manchester, Ohio bravely served his country in Vietnam, where he lost his life.
“This is a really special program that NASCAR puts on, and I’m honored to be a part of it and have our car carry Jim’s name, especially with Jim being a childhood friend of Jack’s,” said Stenhouse. “I hope that we can make his family proud and put this car up front.”
The windshield of Bayne’s No. 6 AdvoCare Ford carries Jason McCormack’s name. McCormack, who was born in 1972, enlisted in the United States Army in 1995. McCormack served alongside the brother of Roush Fenway pit crew member Brett Reckert. This service included multiple deployments to Iraq (2005) and Afghanistan (2007, 2010). McCormack died on November 23, 2015 while conducting a training flight in South Korea.
“We are so thankful for our military every weekend, but it’s special to be able to honor them and their families on our cars this Memorial Day weekend,” said Bayne. “I’m honored to have Jason’s name on the car, and to have his family at the track this weekend. I hope we can make this weekend special for them.”
The windshield of Biffle’s No. 16 Cheez-It Ford carries Joel Taylor’s name. Taylor, a native of Pineville, N.C. joined the United States Army in 2006, where he was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. Taylor died in action on June 25, 2008 in Mosul, Iraq.
“NASCAR does a great job with the 600 Miles of Remembrance program,” said Biffle. “It’s cool to see everything that not only NASCAR, but also Roush Fenway, is doing to honor our military members. I hope we can go out there and make Joel’s family proud and give them something to cheer for.”
Roush Fenway has made 196 starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NSCS, earning eight wins, three poles and 45 top-fives. The team has also brought home 77 top-10 finishes, while leading 2,625 laps.
In addition, Ryan Reed’s No. 16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Mustang will run a special paint scheme this weekend in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) at Charlotte Motor Speedway, recognizing veterans who have served and bringing awareness to the one in four veterans who live with diabetes. As part of the NASCAR Salutes program, the car will feature a series of red, white and blue stars and stripes, with one out of the four stars filled in blue to recognize the 25 percent of our service members who live with the disease.
In 114 NXS starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Roush Fenway boasts 12 wins, which ranks second only to Darlington Raceway for the organization in the NXS. The organization has also earned 13 poles, 33 top-fives and 60 top-10s, while leading 2,574 laps around the 1.5-mile track.
The NXS takes the green flag from Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FS1, while the NSCS rolls off for 600 mileson Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on FOX.
Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series competition with drivers Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed, Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. Now in its 29th season, Roush Fenway is a leader in driver development, having launched the careers for many of the top drivers in the sport. Off-track, Roush Fenway is a leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and producing multiple award-winning digital and experiential marketing campaigns. Roush Fenway is co-owned by Jack Roush, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history and Fenway Sports Group, parent company of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.
My niece is Sadie McCormack, Jasons wife, and their children Cameron and Adddison. I can only say how much we, the entire family, so much appreciate the Roush-Fenway racing organization recognition of Jason’s sacrafice to our country. He was such a kind and funny,personable guy who loved to no end his wife and kids. Thank you ever so much. I will now forever be a “Roush” racing fan thanks to your kindness. I have always followed NASCAR, especially when they race out here at Infinion (Old Sears Point for us aged) and will make the race again this year. Again thank you…..Jeff and Elizabeth Williams….Napa, CA