NASCAR

Four Olympians help kick off race

FOX Sports
Share This Story

Updated Sep 1, 2012 3:34 PM ET
     
 

Richmond International Raceway already brings excitement for fans as it is the last race before NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup field is set – and is a short track.

NASCAR Chase

END IN SIGHT

Who will snag the final spots for NASCAR’s playoff?

Now, the track is upping the competition by bringing in four Olympians from the state to join US Marine Sgt. John Peck to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the Sept. 9 race.

LaShawn Merritt (born in Portsmouth) won two gold medals in 2008 in Beijing in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay. Merritt suffered a hamstring injury two weeks before the London Games and did not finish the 400-meter qualifying heat; Kellie Wells (attended James River High in Richmond and Hampton University) won a bronze in the 100-meter hurdles in London; Terrence Jennings (from Alexandria) earned a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in tae kwon do; and T’erea Brown (from Hampton) finished sixth in the 400-meter hurdles in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Sgt. Peck lost his arms and legs during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan after an IED exploded in 2010. This happened just two years after he tore the right front lobe of his brain when his vehicle ran over an IED. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise Foundation are building a Smart Home for Peck in Spotsylvania, Va.

FOX Fantasy Auto - Play for Free and Win Cash Prizes!

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Auto Racing


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NASCAR Videos

Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway Posted: May 21, 2013
Can anyone catch Jimmie Johnson? We'll have a better idea after 600 grueling mi...

McReynolds: Johnson Coca-Cola 600 favorite? Posted: May 21, 2013
Larry McReynolds discusses whether winning the Sprint All-Star Race makes Jimmie...

McReynolds: 48 Team primed for Chase Posted: May 20, 2013
Larry McReynolds on Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson's preparation for the Chase an...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Chase Authentics Danica Patrick Big Rig Tri-Blend T-Shirt - Charcoal http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Danica_Patrick/browse/featuredproduct/974547/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_974000/ff_974547_xl.jpg&w=100 26.95 Chase Authentics Danica Patrick Big Rig Tri-Blend T-Shirt - Charcoal
    Kyle Busch One Spot Gauge T-Shirt - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Kyle_Busch/browse/featuredproduct/1011659/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1011000/ff_1011659_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Kyle Busch One Spot Gauge T-Shirt - Black
    Matt Kenseth One Spot Gauge T-Shirt - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Matt_Kenseth/browse/featuredproduct/1011661/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1011000/ff_1011661_xl.jpg&w=100 9.99 Matt Kenseth One Spot Gauge T-Shirt - Black
    Chase Authentics Carl Edwards 2013 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Carl_Edwards/browse/featuredproduct/1041164/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1041000/ff_1041164_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Chase Authentics Carl Edwards 2013 Driver Schedule T-Shirt - Ash
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft