DAVIDSON, NC — This weekend at the Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway (PIR), the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) and “The King” Richard Petty will honor our nation’s veterans in a unique way. Petty, a long-time supporter of America’s troops and veterans, will lead the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field on Sunday in a restored 1946 Willy’s Jeep. This tribute will put a fitting final touch on Veterans Day weekend.
In keeping with Petty tradition, fans will have the opportunity to win this “workhorse of World War II” after it leads the field around the one-mile oval. The vehicle will be raffled off in an effort to raise awareness and money to support America’s Paralyzed Veterans. Prior to the parade laps, the Jeep will be on display outside of PIR where fans can purchase their raffle tickets for $20, or three tickets for $50. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.PVA.org/Jeep. The promotion will run until the annual Memorial Day race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2010.
“One of the goals of our partnership with the Paralyzed Veterans is to make Veteran’s Day happen year round, not just in November,” stated Petty. “We want people to realize the sacrifices that these men and women make for our freedom. This Jeep is a piece of American history that becomes more distant with every passing year. I’m honored to pace the field in it this weekend – and I’m sure the fans will enjoy it too.”
When longtime supporters of the Paralyzed Veterans donated the Jeep to the organization, at “The King’s” leadership, Petty’s Garage stepped up to help with the restorations. Today, it resembles every much the vehicle that war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, called “as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule and agile as a goat.”
