CONCORD, N.C. — Before Kurt Busch climbed into his No. 41 Sprint Cup car attempting to become just the second driver in racing history to complete the double — finishing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day — the Stewart-Haas driver was flanked by Corporal Ryan Lamke and Staff Sergeant Sabrina Rigney, two former military members who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
While Busch's desire to accomplish the double was partially a personal decision, there was a bigger goal behind subjecting his body and mind to such a grueling endeavor.
"Kurt's goal for the double was to bring awareness to former service men and women who battle post traumatic stress disorder" said Matthew Ballard, public affairs director for the Armed Forces Foundation run by Busch's girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll. "Kurt approached Sabrina and Ryan with the idea of doing the double to raise awareness for the cause and wanted them to be honorees for the race dedication program at Charlotte Motor Speedway."
The military is held in high regard by all major collegiate and professional sports leagues. Teams across the country make sure to honor veterans whenever possible. But the connection NASCAR has with the military is extremely special and on display at every race on the schedule.
"I think a lot of it comes form the background of the drivers," said Robert Weber, a scout reconnaissance pilot with over 19 years of military service. "A lot of the drivers come from small towns in America. There's always been that connection, so it's just a naturally progression to be connected with the military."
Lamke, who spent four years in the United States Marine Corps and whose name was on a decal placed on Busch's car prior to the Coca-Cola 600, echoed Weber's thoughts. "When it comes to veterans, the patriotism expressed by these drivers and their crew is second to none. You also have tracks where there aren't other sports teams present, and at the end of the day, veterans, service members, we all like excitement, and there's nothing better than a car going 190 mph around the track with the potential for a crash on every turn."
The sights, sounds and smells a NASCAR race provides are a sensory overload, and for former service men and women who suffer from PTSD, they can serve as recreational group therapy in a controlled environment.
On Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Armed Forces Foundation hosted a group of 15 veterans and their families as part of their Troops To The Track program that allows former service men and women to get a behind-the-scenes look at a NASCAR race, all while serving as recreational group therapy.The group, made up of current and former service men and women from all branches of the Armed Forces got a chance to meet drivers Ryan Truex and Joey Logano, visit the garage before the race, and be on pit road during pre-race festivities.
Busch was exhausted. Running of nothing but saline fluids, squares of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fumes, he hopped in his race car to attempt to match Tony Stewart's efforts in 2001 ... but not before hugging every member of the Troops To The Track program.
He took pictures, hugged more veterans and ate a final piece of peanut butter and jelly before climbing into his cockpit.
He was drained. You could see it on his face. But the faces of the service men and women were glowing like the stadium lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Their smiles went from ear to ear, and for Busch, that was bigger than any race — even the second leg of a history-making endeavor.
"Today is a memory I’ll have forever."