CONCORD, N.C. (May 24, 2016) – – Memorial Day is a special time to come together to give thanks to our military and commemorate our fallen military heroes. This weekend JTG Daugherty Racing will shine light on fallen military member Wendell Williams during the Coca-Cola 600 by carrying his name on the No. 47 Harris Teeter Express Lane Chevrolet SS windshield for 600 Miles of Remembrance at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday, May 29.
“I’m proud to be a part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance program that NASCAR does,” Allmendinger said. “On my Harris Teeter Chevy’s windshield I will carry Wendell Williams’ name. His family – wife Robin their two kids Shalanda Axle and Kyle Williams along with his best friend Gary Wilks – will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. To be able to have his family there is pretty special to us. I think everything that we do to remember what they’ve given up for us to have our freedom is so important. In this day and age, we forget sometimes and really we just need to take a step back and remember how important it is and what they sacrifice to allow us to do what we love to do every day. Robin is a part of the Kroger family. It’s going to be great having them there and hopefully we can go out there and remember Wendell the best way possible by winning the race.”
Williams, who was born November 23 1965 in Cincinnati, was a proud member of the United States Navy, where he served as a Yeoman Class (YN3). Wendell joined the Navy after graduation from Withrow High School in 1984. He attended boot camp in Illinois and completed his first tour in Jacksonville, FL. He joined Patrol Squadron 11 (Brunswick, ME) in 1989 and Naval Air Station Brunswick (ME) in 1991 and loved serving his country. Williams’ wife Robin can attest to that and is humbled that her husband will be honored by JTG Daugherty Racing.
“I am super excited, but more than being excited the family is really honored that their dad and friend are being honored by the race team,” Robin Williams said. “Sometimes in life we think our fallen soldiers are forgotten. What a wonderful gesture for these families to let them know that their fighting is not in vain.
“To me, it is an amazing thing,” continued Williams. “I’m humbled by the experience. I know that I am not alone in this, but I just think it’s awesome to remember those who have fought so diligently for our country.”
In Robin’s eyes, Williams was the salt of the Earth, an outstanding father, husband and friend.
“Wendell really was just an outstanding guy,” Williams said. “He never met a stranger, his smile was contagious, and he was down to Earth. He loved his family. The individuals that knew him loved him. He was amazing and there was a spirit about him that was incredible. He was a hard worker with character and integrity. He was not a dad to really discipline his children. All he had to do was say, ‘Now, you know you’re not right.’ The kids would just straighten up. I could talk to them until I was blue in the face, but nobody wanted to disappoint dad. That speaks a lot to him and his stature. It really has been an honor to have Wendell as part of our life and we will never forget him.”
