NSCS: Richard Petty Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing Team up with U.S. Air Force for 600 Miles of Remembrance

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.”

The Coca-Cola 600 will air live on FOX Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. EST with broadcasts on PRN and SIRIUS XM Radio.

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win in Air, Space and Cyberspace. For 2015, the Air Force Recruiting Service is hiring over 21,000 new Airmen. An emphasis is on recruiting people with no prior military service into one of about 140 enlisted career opportunities. The Air Force recruits to retain, so we recruit the brightest candidates possible, then provide them with tough, highly technical training that gives them the right skills to sustain the combat capability of America’s Air Force. For more information about Air Force benefits and opportunities, go to www.airforce.com.

A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by

NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP, Strike Ten Entertainment and Fresh From Florida, and Sam Hornish, Jr. drives the No. 9 machine with primary partner Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C.

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