Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) and Roush Fenway Racing will team up with the U.S. Air Force for NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance campaign at NASCAR’s longest race, the Coca-Cola 600. The teams will utilize this campaign to honor three U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country on the 10th anniversary of their death.
On May 30, 2005, these three Special Tactics operators were on a landing zone and survey mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in eastern Diyala province, Iraq, when the Iraqi air force aircraft crashed, killing the pilot, co-pilot and three Special Tactics Airmen. All three Airmen were awarded the Bronze Star with Valor posthumously.
Special Tactics Airmen are the Air Force’s ground special operations force, and U.S. Special Operations Command’s primary air-to-ground integration force who forward deploy into hostile areas to establish airpower and global access.
RPM driver Aric Almirola will display U.S. Air Force Capt. Derek M. Argel’s name on his No. 43 Air Force Ford. Argel, whose story will be featured in Brush of Honor on the Inspiration Network Monday, May 25, was born in Lompoc, California. A skilled athlete, he lettered on the water polo team at the United States Air Force Academy all four years, earning all-conference honors as a senior. After commissioning into the Air Force, he completed the arduous Combat Control training pipeline and earned the red beret of a Special Tactics Officer. During his deployment overseas, he directed operations and led Special Tactics survey and assessment teams to establish landing zones for aircraft across three separate continents within United States Central Command.
“I’m honored to represent Captain Argel and all of the Air Force this weekend in the Coca-Cola 600,” said Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Air Force Ford. “To be able to display his name on our car for the 10th anniversary of his death is really special. Without Captain Argel’s sacrifice, we wouldn’t be able to compete on Sunday. Hopefully, when fans watch the race on Sunday, they’ll stop and think about what the men and women of the Air Force sacrifice for them every day.”
In addition, his teammate Sam Hornish Jr. will display Capt. Jeremy J. Fresques’ name, on his No. 9 Ford. Born in Farmington, New Mexico, Fresques also attended the United States Air Force Academy and went on to earn the red beret of a Special Tactics Officer. He was serving his first tour of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2005. During this period, he served as Director of Operations, managing 42 special tactics combat controllers and special operations weathermen supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
“I have so much respect for our military and their families, and I am forever grateful for their service,” said Hornish. “It’s an honor to have Capt. Fresques’ name on our No. 9 Ford for the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. It’s such a small token of our appreciation, compared to the sacrifice he made for our freedom.”
Roush Fenway driver Trevor Bayne will display Staff Sgt. Casey Crate’s name on his No. 6 AdvoCare Ford. Crate was born in Spanaway, Washington and enlisted in the Air Force in 1998 earning the coveted red beret of a combat controller in 2002. This mission was also part of his first operational deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. While serving overseas, he synchronized airpower operations as the sole Special Tactics Joint Terminal Attack Controller assigned to an Army Special Forces team. He facilitated all long-range communications between special operations patrol teams and the command and control elements, integrating air power to enable mission success on the ground.
“It’s an honor to have Staff Sgt. Casey Crate’s name on our AdvoCare Ford this weekend,” said Bayne. “Memorial Day is such a special day to be able to carry the name of an American Hero on our car is an incredible honor. I’m thankful to all who have served and who continue to serve our country to keep it safe. Hopefully we can do Staff Sgt. Crate proud this weekend.”
“Our NASCAR sponsorship with Richard Petty Motorsports allows us to reach out to a very large audience, said Maj. Jacob Chisolm, chief of the National Events Branch at Air Force Recruiting Service. “For all of our races, it’s a great opportunity to connect with the American public, but the 600 Miles of Remembrance goes beyond that normal experience. We’re so proud to have our drivers carry the names of these three outstanding Airmen.”
“It’s a real honor to have both of our teams and partners Roush Fenway represent such great men,” said “The King” Richard Petty. “These three men paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and to be able to give them some recognition on the 10th anniversary of that sacrifice is really special. I hope it gives their families just a little solace to see their loved ones names during the race.”
RPM PR
- AM Racing | Hailie Deegan Dover Motor Speedway April Xfinity Preview - April 25, 2024
- RACE ADVANCE: Corey Heim at Dover Motor Speedway - April 25, 2024
- Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Kaz Grala Dover Race Advance - April 25, 2024