The Rusty Wallace Racing (RWR) duo, #62 Michael Annett and #66 Steve Wallace, led the field in the last lap of the Subway 250 at Daytona International Speedway Independence Day Weekend.
This was not just any Nationwide Series race for the RWR team. Both cars carried the Infinite Hero shield in honor of the servicemen and women who have made personal sacrifices to serve and protect our freedoms.
Victory was almost guaranteed before Wallace’s engine suddenly blew, causing the pair to separate and the entanglement of car #66 in a chaotic multi-car accident. Annett still managed to place 6th and Wallace, fortunate enough to exit without injury, placed 11th.
Post race, Wallace expressed his regret at the finish and added, “When you’re involved with the Infinite Hero Foundation, like our teams were this weekend, you see the tremendous courage those guys have shown and what they’ve experienced. It really puts things in perspective.”
The day before the race, former NASCAR® Sprint Cup Series champion and 55-time race winner, Rusty Wallace, joined by Sgt. Johnny Jones, USMC bilateral amputee and Erick Poston, Director of Oakley Military, announced the launch of Infinite Hero to NASCAR during a press luncheon.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to help launch the Infinite Hero Foundation to the NASCAR community,” said Rusty Wallace. “The members of our Armed Forces are true heroes who give everything to protect the virtues we hold dear. I’m really proud to be part of something that allows us to give back to them.”
The newly established foundation partnered with its first beneficiary, the Armed Forces Foundation, to host a small group of wounded warriors in Daytona for the weekend. To raise awareness, the wounded warriors were featured on ESPN standing next to the #62 Infinite Hero car during the national anthem.
“Our sport has a strong correlation with those who serve our country,” said Michael Annett. “Bringing the Infinite Hero Foundation to light on a weekend when we celebrate our freedoms should be a big success. Those freedoms wouldn’t be possible without the service of our military.”
Infinite Hero would like to thank Rusty Wallace Racing, 5-Hour Energy and Oakley, Inc for their support.
About Infinite Hero
Infinite Hero is a non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to raising awareness and funds to meet the needs of military heroes and their families. The Infinite Hero emblem incorporates the color purple to honor those who have been wounded in battle, the Greek cross to signify aid, and the infinity symbol to represent the conviction that the sacrifices of heroes should always be remembered. Infinite Hero depends on the financial support of individuals and companies that are equally committed to honoring and empowering the heroes of today. To learn more about partnership opportunities and to make a donation, visit InfiniteHero.org.