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The "good old days" ??
http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-keselowskis-foundation-rides-again/
CUP: Keselowski’s Foundation Rides Again
Spint Cup driver supports military personnel on ‘Road To Recovery,' takes wounded servicemen for hot laps at Bristol.
Crew members help a former serviceman into Brad Keselowski's special Road to Recovery race car for a few high-speed laps. (Photo: Mike Hembre)
It was relatively easy Sunday for Brad Keselowski to shake off a sour 30th-place finish in Saturday night’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Keselowski spent most of Sunday at the center of one of his passions – helping injured American military personnel on the road to recovery.
Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation runs the Road to Recovery, a program designed to inspire service members who have been severely injured and are battling with new realities.
Scheduled several times a year at several speedways, the program includes attendance at NASCAR races, visits with drivers and other racing personalities and the highlight – a ride-along at near-race speed with Keselowski in a modified Sprint Cup car.
Five servicemen and members of their families participated in the ride-along part of the program Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway after attending Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race.
Keselowski began the program two years ago after a close friend was injured in service in Afghanistan.
“I wanted to do something that inspired somebody to get back going,” Keselowski said Sunday. “No matter what your ailment, if you have the right mental attitude and composure, you can overcome problems. These events are attitude enhancers.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to do it in a ride-along. Most of these guys are thrill seekers. Events like this give them a rush that maybe they are missing in their life after their military experience came to an end. I wanted to do something that was real and true to me, an experience that’s authentic to who I am.
“My friend was riding in a vehicle that ran over an explosive device. Everybody in it but him died. He came out of it all beat up. He had survivor guilt and all that. It was something that affected my approach, made me think even more about it.”
The men who were honored as part of the program Sunday are from a variety of backgrounds and situations. Some were much more severely injured than others, but all had experienced significant trauma on the battlefield.
Those who participated Sunday were Taylor Morris (Navy) of Cedar Falls, IO; J.B Kerns (Marines) of Ararat, VA; Brendan Marrocco (Army) of Staten Island, NY; Sean Haggard (Air Force) of Denver, CO and Eric Loftis (Army) of Greeneville, TN.
Morris is a prime example of the serviceman Keselowski is trying to reach. He was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan in May and lost both legs, part of his left arm and his right hand.
“Driving the Navy car for JR Motorsports kind of opened my eyes to my age and where a lot of people in my generation are,” Keselowski said. “I could be one of these guys as easily as anything else. I’ve always had respect for them – active duty, disabled or whatnot.”
For information on donating to Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation, visit the organization’s website at www.checkeredflagfoundation.org.
CUP: Keselowski’s Foundation Rides Again
Spint Cup driver supports military personnel on ‘Road To Recovery,' takes wounded servicemen for hot laps at Bristol.
Mike Hembree | Posted August 26, 2012 Bristol, TN
Crew members help a former serviceman into Brad Keselowski's special Road to Recovery race car for a few high-speed laps. (Photo: Mike Hembre)
It was relatively easy Sunday for Brad Keselowski to shake off a sour 30th-place finish in Saturday night’s Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Keselowski spent most of Sunday at the center of one of his passions – helping injured American military personnel on the road to recovery.
Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation runs the Road to Recovery, a program designed to inspire service members who have been severely injured and are battling with new realities.
Scheduled several times a year at several speedways, the program includes attendance at NASCAR races, visits with drivers and other racing personalities and the highlight – a ride-along at near-race speed with Keselowski in a modified Sprint Cup car.
Five servicemen and members of their families participated in the ride-along part of the program Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway after attending Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race.
Keselowski began the program two years ago after a close friend was injured in service in Afghanistan.
“I wanted to do something that inspired somebody to get back going,” Keselowski said Sunday. “No matter what your ailment, if you have the right mental attitude and composure, you can overcome problems. These events are attitude enhancers.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to do it in a ride-along. Most of these guys are thrill seekers. Events like this give them a rush that maybe they are missing in their life after their military experience came to an end. I wanted to do something that was real and true to me, an experience that’s authentic to who I am.
“My friend was riding in a vehicle that ran over an explosive device. Everybody in it but him died. He came out of it all beat up. He had survivor guilt and all that. It was something that affected my approach, made me think even more about it.”
The men who were honored as part of the program Sunday are from a variety of backgrounds and situations. Some were much more severely injured than others, but all had experienced significant trauma on the battlefield.
Those who participated Sunday were Taylor Morris (Navy) of Cedar Falls, IO; J.B Kerns (Marines) of Ararat, VA; Brendan Marrocco (Army) of Staten Island, NY; Sean Haggard (Air Force) of Denver, CO and Eric Loftis (Army) of Greeneville, TN.
Morris is a prime example of the serviceman Keselowski is trying to reach. He was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan in May and lost both legs, part of his left arm and his right hand.
“Driving the Navy car for JR Motorsports kind of opened my eyes to my age and where a lot of people in my generation are,” Keselowski said. “I could be one of these guys as easily as anything else. I’ve always had respect for them – active duty, disabled or whatnot.”
For information on donating to Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation, visit the organization’s website at www.checkeredflagfoundation.org.
