CONCORD, N.C. – As Memorial Day week approaches, the nation prepares to honor and remember the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. This sentiment will resonate throughout the pre-race festivities leading up to Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, capping off the NASCAR Salutes program during Military Appreciation Month.
In a tribute during the 600 Miles of Remembrance, each car in the field will display the name of a fallen service member on its windshield. FOX will amplify this commemoration as part of its “FOX Sports Remembers” initiative, a tradition dating back to 2009. Additionally, Goodyear will uphold its tradition of replacing its signature “Eagle” sidewall design with the words “Honor and Remember” for the race.
Amidst the action, a moment of remembrance will occur after stage two of the four-stage race, as the entire field will be brought down pit road and engines will be shut off.
SEE THE PATRIOTIC SCHEMES: 5 team | 9 team | 24 team | 48 team
As part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance, every NASCAR Cup Series car will display the name of a fallen service member on its windshield. But whose names will be honored on the Hendrick Motorsports cars this weekend? Here’s a preview:
United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sargent John Basilone (GySgt) will be remembered on the No. 5 HendrickCars.com #Hendrick1100 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Basilone, a decorated hero, was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Navy Cross for valor during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He holds the distinction of being the only enlisted marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II.
Enlisting in the USMC on June 3, 1940, after three years of service in the United States Army, he served in the Philippines. Tragically, he was killed in action of February 19, 1945, the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. His courageous actions, including single-handedly destroying an enemy blockhouse and leading a USMC tank through a minefield under fire, exemplified his unwavering dedication. Basilone rests in Arlington National Cemetery, section 12.
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United States Army Technician Fifth Grade Clifford Strickland will be honored on the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The honoree for this car was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II. He entered the U.S. Army Air Forces from Colorado and was a member of the 803rd Engineers Battalion, Philippine Department, tasked with defending the Philippine Islands and training the Philippine Army.
Strickland was captured following the American surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942 and forced on the Bataan Death March. He was ultimately interned in the notorious Cabanatuan Prison Camp in Nueva Ecija Province, where he died on July 29, 1942. Strickland’s remains were accounted for on December 20, 2023 and will be laid to rest in Colorado in June.
United States Marine Corps Major Tobin (Toby) Josiah Lewis will be recognized on the No. 24 Liberty University Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Inspired by his grandfather, a retired Marine Aviator, Lewis pursued a military aviation major at Liberty. After graduating in 2008, he completed officer candidate school and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC.
In August 2023, Toby perished off the coast of Northern Australia when his Osprey went down during a training exercise. His actions as pilot reportedly saves the lives of the 20 Marines aboard. He is survived by his wife, Meredith Dunn Lewis, a fellow Liberty graduate and their three daughters, Lydia, Nora and Eliana.
Army Captain Arthur “Bo” Felder will be honored on the No. 48 Ally Racing Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. He was a dedicated serviceman, who tragically passed away on April 24, 2004, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 39th Support Battalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Army National Guard, based in Hazen, AR, when mortar rounds struck his camp in Taji, Iraq.
His service ran deep within his family, with their military legacy track back to World War I. Felder himself enlisted in the Army during the summer of his junior year of high school. Prior to his deployment to Iraq, he had served in Bosnia and Honduras. In Iraq, he commanded Headquarters Company of the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard.
These are just a glimpse into the lives of the fallen service members commemorated on the Hendrick Motorsports cars. You can see more by tuning in to the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.