Photo By Staff Sgt. Randall Carey | Tony Stewart, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and current NASCAR Sprint Cup...... read more read more
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NEW WESTON, Ohio - Mud sprayed across the dirt track, engines roared and more than 23,000 fans in attendance roared even louder as Tony Stewart slid into first place during the 2009 Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream, Sept. 9, at Eldora Speedway.
Stewart persevered as others crashed or fell far behind. He hung on to the lead through the 30th and final lap of the feature heat to win the race.
Stewart, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and current NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader, owns Eldora Speedway and has hosted the Prelude to the Dream charity race annually since 2005.
The proceeds of past races have gone to benefit a variety of charities and children's organizations, but the 2009 event will support several programs to help veterans-the Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and Fisher House, said Brett Frood, chief operating officer of Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises.
Because of the military theme of the charitable efforts, the Stewart team called on the Ohio Army National Guard to assist with the race, said Staff Sgt Tony L. Baker, recruiting and retention non-commissioned officer with the Greenville recruiting office.
Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, provided support for the event including 12 Humvees and 27 Soldiers to take the race drivers on an introductory lap before the race, said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Carlisle.
"It really raises the awareness of patriotism," said Baker, whose own family was helped by the Wounded Warrior Project when his brother was wounded in Iraq. "It shows an inner desire to help the overall cause."
"It's important what we do today, but it's also important to recognize the past and those that got us where we are today," said Ryan Newman, driver of the U.S. Army car and winner of the 2008 Daytona 500, the most prestigious race on the NASCAR schedule each year.
Working with the military has brought a larger level of pride to his organization, Stewart said. The Soldiers he's met have had a positive influence.
"People think we're tough because we can drive a car 200 miles per hour," he said. "We're not tough. Every Soldier in Walter Reed is tougher."
Stewart had only one simple message he wanted to send to Soldiers.
"Thank You," he said.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2009 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 39113 |
| Location: | NEW WESTON, US |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 154 |
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