Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA

NASCAR to honor fallen service members in Coke 600

Brad Keselowski will honor a North Carolina native as all NASCAR Cup Series drivers will carry the name of a fallen soldier on windshield during Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.

Brad Keselowski, Team Penske meeting with the Eckard family

Brad Keselowski, Team Penske meeting with the Eckard family

Tim Southers

Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske meeting with the Eckard family
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske meeting with the Eckard family
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Stars, Stripes, and Lites
Parker Kligerman, Gaunt Brothers Racing, Toyota Camry Gaunt Brothers Racing
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Nationwide
Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Smithfield
Jamie McMurray, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro McDonald's

While Keselowski and 39 other drivers will be focused on trying to win the Coke 600 Sunday at Charlotte, before they take the green flag they will recognize and honor some of America’s fallen soldiers.

The 600 Miles of Remembrance program has been held annually as part of the Memorial Day events at Charlotte since 2015.

Keselowski, who has long been a part of supporting America’s military members and veterans through his Checkered Flag Foundation, said it’s a great privilege and honor to help recognize the men and women who’ve paid the ultimate price for their country.

“You always wish you could do more,” said Keselowski. “Memorial Day is an important time to reflect on the life we get to live because of the sacrifices made by so many.

“It’s a big honor to help in a small way recognize those who have made the sacrifice and and it’s an honor for use to carry their name on our car. The best thing we can do is help honor them and their memory.”

Keselowski will carry the name of Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Chris Eckard from Hickory, N.C. GySgt Eckard was killed on Feb. 20, 2010 near Patrol Base Barcha in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan while conducting EOD operations in the support of a dismounted patrol.

It was his fifth tour of duty when he suffered his fatal injuries.

Eckard’s mother, Eunice Eckard, and his brother, Chad, met with Keselowski Wednesday morning at Team Penske headquarters in Mooresville, N.C.

Chris Eckard’s dad also has a history in NASCAR working for Junior Johnson years ago and also being a part of teams that competed at Hickory Motor Speedway.

“It means everything to these families that have lost soldiers and this should mean a lot to our country for the sacrifices they made for our country,” said Chad Eckard. “We can’t thank Brad and his team and everyone here (at Team Penske) for what they’re doing to keep Chris’ memory alive over Memorial Day.”

“Ever since he was little kid he wanted to be a Marine,” Eunice Eckard said of her son. “I didn’t want him to re-enlist but he always said ‘Mom I can’t think of a better way to die than die for your country.’

“Well, my response was give me grandchildren, and he did.”

Casey Mahoney, who was Chris’ best friend and best man at his wedding, works at Team Penske and nominated his late friend to be a part of the program.

“The dedication that he had and being an outstanding soldier to help save other people’s lives,” said Chad Eckard. “He wanted to be the best Marine he could be.”

Chris Eckard is survived by his wife of eight years, Ashley Eckard, and their two sons, Steven and Avery.

Chad and Eunice Eckard will join other families that will attend the race on Sunday and be recognized during pre-race ceremonies.

Here’s a complete list of the fallen soldiers to be represented on Sunday and the drivers and vehicles that will carry their names:

Driver/Service Member/Rank/Name

Landon Cassill - Lance Corporal (LCpl) - Osbrany Montes De Oca

Jamie McMurray - Staff Sergeant (SSgt) - Scott Sather

Aric Almirola - Staff Sergeant (SSG) - Aaron Butler

Denny Hamlin - Sergeant First Class (SFC) - Jonathan K. Dozier

Ryan Blaney - Sergeant (SGT) - Ronald A. Kubik

Ty Dillon - Private First Class (PFC) - Charlie Anthony

Clint Bowyer - Specialist (SPC) - Alan Burgess

Ross Chastain - Staff Sergeant (SSG) - Allen Robert McKenna Jr.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - Technical Sergeant (TSgt) - John Chapman

Kyle Busch - Sergeant (SGT) - Eric Toth

Daniel Suarez - Corporal (CPL) - Cody A. Putman

Brad Keselowski - Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) - Chris Eckard

Erik Jones- Corporal (CPL) - Nicholas Roush

Paul Menard - First Lieutenant  (1LT) - Leevi Barnard

Joey Logano - Staff Sergeant (SSgt) - Javier Ortiz Rivera

Gray Gaulding - Cpl - Christopher Ebert

William Byron- Major (MAJ) - Michael Donahue

Austin Dillon - Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) - William Ryan Owens

Ryan Newman - Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman - Ryan Lohrey

Matt DiBenedetto - Captain (CPT) - Kyle Comfort

Michael McDowell - Cpl - Charles Palmer II

Chris Buescher - Staff Sergeant (SSG) - Robert F. White

David Ragan - Sergeant First Class (SFC) - Ricky L. Crockett

Kevin Harvick - Lance Corporal (LCpl) - Patrick Adle

Kurt Busch - Sergeant (SGT) - Jeremiah "Jay" Holmes

Kyle Larson - Captain (CPT) - Kimberly Hampton

Darrell Wallace Jr. - Technical Sergeant (TSgt) - Scott Duffman

AJ Allmendinger - LCpl - Darrell Schumann

Jimmie Johnson - Staff Sergeant (SSG) - Francis “Frankie” Phillips IV

BJ McLeod - Master Sgt - Davy Weaver

Jeffrey Earnhardt - MAJ - Samuel Griffith

Trevor Bayne - Sergeant (SGT) - Jonathon Hunter

Timmy Hill - SGT - Elijah Rao

JJ Yeley - SSgt - Thomas Dudley

Corey LaJoie- Staff Sergeant - (SSgt) David Stewart

Martin Truex Jr.- First Lieutenant - (1LT) Arlen Del Richardson

Alex Bowman - Captain (CPT) - Nick Rozanski

Chase Elliott - Corporal (Cpl) - John Chester Robertson

Kasey Kahne - Specialist (SPC) - Rudy Acosta

Parker Kligerman - Lance Corporal (LCpl) - Nic O'Brien

Grand Marshal #1 - Staff Sergeant - William “Billy” Kundrat

Grand Marshal #2 - Sergeant - Dietrich Schmieman

Grand Marshal #3 - Sergeant - Talon Leach

Grand Marshal #4 - Sergeant - Chad Elliott Jenson

Pace Car #1 - Captain (Capt) - Mark Weber

Pace Car #2 - Staff Sergeant - Joshua M. Snowden

Toyota Tundra #1 - Corporal - Daniel Baldassare

Toyota Tundra #2 - Specialist - Joshua Scott Piotrowski

Toyota Tundra #3 - Senior Airman - Bryce K. Powers

Toyota Tundra #4 - Lieutenant (LT) - J. Wesley Van Dorn

Toyota Tundra #5 - Petty Officer 3rd Class (DC3) - Nathan B. Bruckenthal

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Erik Jones fastest in final NASCAR Cup practice before Coke 600
Next article Kyle Busch wins Stage 1 of the Coke 600; Harvick wrecks

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA