DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., - The "8 Soldiers, 8 missions" paint scheme was unveiled by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the eight National Guard members at an event here June 30 that honored their sacrifice and selfless service for others by serving in domestic and oversea missions for their country.
"We take a lot of pride representing these eight soldiers and the entire [National] Guard, and their sacrifices," Earnhardt said.
Earnhardt entrusted the design of the paint scheme to a friend and said he was clueless as to what it would look like until it was unveiled.
"It is a good looking car. I was excited," he said. "It was great to have the eight Soldiers here and listen to their eight missions. It gave me a lot of pride that I have for the Guard."
The eight Soldiers featured on the car, which will run at the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend are: Spc. Tabitha Foster from the 201st Engineer Battalion, Kentucky Army National Guard; Spc. Joseph Ruiz from Headquarters and Headquarters Company Scouts Infantry, New York Army National Guard; Spc. Richard Ghent from the 1-172 Armor, New Hampshire Army National Guard; Staff Sgt. Justin Lampert from the 818th Engineer Company, North Dakota Army National Guard; Staff Sgt. Daniel Caldwell from Charlie Company, 1-167th Infantry, Alabama Army National Guard; Staff Sgt. Ryan Brubaker from B Company, 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion, Montana Army National Guard; Sgt. 1st Class Chris Dempsey from the Recruiting and Retention Command, Arizona Army National Guard; and 1st Lt. Reed Preece Troop C, 2-104 Cavalry, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Brubaker, the National Guard Solider of the Year, felt honored to be one of the few selected.
"It is a humbling experience to be here," he said. "They have all of these unique stories. It feels great to be showecased."
Brubaker gives credit to his success to more than just his personal desire.
"The family support I have with my wife Heidi has been a great influence. She has been very supportive," he said. "I had a lot of help from my unit and peers along the way. I was happy to be able to give my unit recognition, since they are the reason I am here."
Foster, who treated casualties under enemy fire and went on 100 missions while in Afghanistan, is counting down until race day.
"I am really excited to be here," he said. "It is my first race."
As Earnhardt gets to know the Soldiers and the National Guard, he said he gets more comfortable, which makes it a better relationship.
"It is really emotional, and I feed off of that emotion," he said. "It is in the back of my mind throughout the event."
Earnhardt said that he enjoys events like these, because it allows people to recognize the sacrifice by National Guardsmen.
"We appreciate what they do for us," Earnhardt said. "We are really fortunate."