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Stewart-Haas Racing to Honor Fallen Soldiers at Coca-Cola 600

During the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, all 40 NASCAR Cup Series cars will feature the name of a fallen service member on the windshield during the race. This Memorial Day weekend, the four Stewart-Haas Cup cars will assist in honoring some of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang will honor Staff Sergeant LeRoy E. Alexander (Green Beret, Special Forces Soldier), who was killed in the line of duty on June 3rd, 2005 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Alexander enlisted in the Army as an Engineer in August 1997. He was assigned to 27th Engineer Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. SSG Alexander graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and was assigned as an Engineer Sergeant to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served until his death.

Lee had a great sense of humor, was an adventurous motorcyclist , and always looked after his loved ones. He was an outstanding athlete playing running back and defense back with his brother Reggie. His high school sweetheart wife, Major Marissa Alexander, was five and a half months pregnant with twins Avery LeRoy and Alaya Leigh when he was killed in action. One of Lee’s first time watching car racing was in 2001 at Darlington Race – Southern 500 which he assisted in the re-enlistment ceremony for one of his best friends at Rockingham.

His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Aric Almirola’s No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang will honor Navy SEAL Master-At-Arms Second Class (MA2) Michael A. Monsoor, who was killed in action on September 29th, 2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Originally from Long Beach, California, Monsoor served from 2001-2006. He was killed when a grenade was thrown onto the rooftop where he and other soldiers were positioned. Monsoor jumped on top of the grenade, absorbing the blast and saving his comrades. He died thirty minutes later from his injuries.

Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush in 2008. The USS Michael Monsoor, the second ship in the Zumwalt class of guided missile destroyers, was named in his honor.

Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 High Point Ford Mustang will honor Navy SEAL Petty Officer 2nd Class (PO2) Marc A. Lee, who was killed in action on August 2nd, 2006 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lee was the first Navy SEAL killed in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Lee served from 2001-2006. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lee provided cover as other members of the team prepared fellow SEAL Team 3 member, Ryan C. Job, for medical evacuation after being injured by an enemy sniper. Lee was killed after exposing himself for a third time, to draw fire away from his fellow team members. Posthumously, Lee was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart.

Cole Custer’s No. 41 Wow Wow Classic Waffles Ford Mustang will honor Petty Officer 2nd Class (SO2) Ryan C. Job. Job was critically injured in the War on Terrorism when an enemy sniper hit the rifle that he was holding, causing the weapon to shatter. Pieces of the weapon pierced his eyes, leaving him permanently blind.

He served from 2002-2007, and after returning from action and receiving treatment, Job went on to climb Mount Rainer, among other physical accomplishments. Job passed on September 24th, 2009 during a facial reconstruction procedure to repair injuries suffered in battle.

In addition to honoring these four soldiers, the No. 4, 10 and 14 cars will proudly boast a patriotic paint scheme to run the “600 Miles of Remembrance” tying in with NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola.