On Memorial Day weekend, Chris Buescher and sponsor CSX will race in the name of a U.S. Marine killed while on patrol during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The No. 34 Ford Fusion will pay tribute to SSgt. Eric McIntosh, a 29-year-old Infantry Unit Leader who died conducting combat operations in Iraq in 2006. SSgt. McIntosh’s name will be displayed across the top of the windshield of Buescher’s No. 34 for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 as part of NASCAR’s tribute to America’s fallen military.
SSgt. McIntosh was one month into his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Anbar province. He was survived by his wife, mother, sister and brother.
Family members will be guests of CSX on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 600-mile Sprint Cup Series event, where they will get the opportunity to see the special military-themed No. 34 CSX Ford up close, meet Buescher and participate in pre-race ceremonies with the Front Row Motorsports team.
“This is what this weekend is all about,” Buescher said. “We should take time on a daily basis to think about the men and women who have died for our country so that we can do the things we love, like going racing on Sundays. I will be extremely proud to have SSgt. McIntosh’s family standing next to me with CSX and our No. 34 Ford Fusion this weekend.”
CSX has a proud history of service in hiring individuals with military experience to operate the nation’s largest eastern railroad. One in five CSX employees has served in the armed forces, and the railroad was presented the GI Jobs Most Military Friendly 2015 and ESGR Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award.
“We are proud to have a special, commemorative CSX ‘Play It Safe’ Ford on track as part of NASCAR’s Memorial Day weekend and honored to welcome SSgt. McIntosh’s family as our way of saying thank you for their sacrifice,” said John Claybrooks, Director of Brand, Digital Media and Marketing Communications at CSX. “Supporting our military has always been a priority at our company, and we are proud to have so many veterans in our workforce.”
Additionally, CSX donated 200 grandstand tickets to the Charlotte Motor Speedway “Let the Troops Race” program so active military members can watch the race in person. The Coca-Cola 600 airs live on FOX Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
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