CONCORD, N.C. - As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, Americans prepare to honor and celebrate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
NASCAR is doing the same.
At Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend, the NASCAR Salutes program caps Military Appreciation Month (May) with festivities, events, special paint schemes and a mid-race moment of silence. The program is an initiative to honor past and present service members by supporting and recognizing them and their families through a variety of programs.
SEE THE PATRIOTIC PAINT SCHEMES: 5 team | 9 team | 24 team | 48 team
The Coke 600 also has a special tradition called, "600 Miles of Remembrance", in which race teams place the names of fallen soldiers on the banner above the front windshields of their cars. Goodyear joins in by replacing the iconic, "Eagle" lettering with the words, "Honor and Remember" on the sidewall of tires.
Following stage two, the entire field will come down pit road and shut off their engines, taking a moment of silence for all fallen veterans before continuing the race.
Hendrick Motorsports will honor four fallen members this weekend. Here's a look at each.
Cpt. Sara Cullen, No. 5 car
Captain Sara Cullen will be honored on the top of the No. 5 #Hendrick1100 Chevrolet.
Cullen was tragically killed during a training mission aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk near Kandahar, Afghanistan on March 11, 2013.
Cullen served in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Her mother recalls her for being fun and adventurous as well as having a smile that brightened a room.
PFC Richard J Feehery, No. 9 car
Private First Class, Richard J Feehery served in the United States Army in the Red One First Infantry Division, the oldest continuously serving division in the Army. He will be honored on No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Patriotic Chevrolet.
After being drafted in the military in 1966, Feehery served in the Vietnam War from February to May in 1967. He was deployed at a base in the Bing Duong Province in May and was killed in action when the light duty military vehicle he was driving came into contact with a land mine.
Feehery earned several awards for his service including a Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Cpl. Garry Dwight Barbee, No. 24 car
Corporal Garry Dwight Barbee will be honored on the front of the No. 24 Axalta Patriotic Chevrolet. He served in the United States Army, Company B, 1st Infantry and 4th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was killed in action on Aug. 2, 1969, two weeks after being stationed at a base in Pleiku, Vietnam.
Barbee was promoted posthumously to corporal and was awarded the Purple Heart. He is the uncle of the No. 24 primary truck driver, Jason Gray.
Barbee was laid to rest in Concord, North Carolina.
HM2 Michael Richard Kempel, No. 48 car
Hospital Corpsman Second Class Michael Richard Kempel will be honored on the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet. A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Kempel was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division at age 22. He enlisted in the Navy after high school, becoming a hospital corpsman with the Marines in the Vietnam War.
Kempel was killed during service when his platoon stepped into a hidden minefield. Kempel showed unwavering courage running to help injured men while knowing more mines were present. Although the event left him severely wounded, he continued to help aid his soldiers until passing away from his injuries on Aug. 27, 1970.
Kempel was rewarded with The Silver Star for his courage in the face of danger. He was the oldest of five and loved building and racing cars. While in service, he was nicknamed "Doc" and was known for his humor, often distracting wounded soldiers with jokes in tight moments.
These four soldiers and the many others will be honored at the Coke 600. You can see more during the race live on Amazon Prime Video at 6 p.m. ET.