NASCAR To Honor CPT Joshua Byers ’96
By Jane Anderson, WPAOG Staff
NASCAR racing has become as much a part of the fabric of American life as apple pie. And this Memorial Day weekend, the sport is honoring the solemn holiday by remembering CPT Joshua Byers ’96, emblazoning his name among those of other fallen service members on the 40 cars racing in the Coca-Cola 600.
The 400-lap, 600-mile Cup Series race begins at 6pm on May 25 at Charlotte Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. A mid-race break will bring all cars off the track, engines off, for a moment of silence in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to our nation. Prime Video is streaming the race live in the Sports section of its channels.
CPT Joshua Byers ’96 would have loved the honor, according to his former roommate, LTC Kevin Cutright ’96. “He was as fun-loving as he was serious about his profession,” Cutright recalls.
Company commander to Fox Troop, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Carson, CO, CPT Byers was an Army Ranger and did special operative missions. On July 23, 2003, CPT Byers’ convoy was east of Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by a remote-controlled bomb, killing him and severely wounding others.
When it came time to select a service member to be honored on Car 54 of Joe Gibbs Racing, sponsor SAIA turned to Wreaths Across America (WAA). The trucking company partners will WAA to help furnish wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery and others, according to Ray Ramu, executive vice president and chief customer officer for SAIA.
The naming rights are an honor in themselves, but CPT Byers’ story is special to SAIA, Ramu says. “CPT Byers’ last words were ‘Keep moving forward’ after his vehicle was hit; that resonates with trucking and NASCAR,” Ramu says. And the theme of WAA this year happens to be “Keep Moving Forward,” in honor of CPT Byers.
Driver Ty Gibbs will be reflecting on the fallen captain’s life during the race and the moment of silence. “You think about the ultimate sacrifice that Josh and all the fallen soldiers have given,” Gibbs says. “It’s a powerful moment and I’m glad we do it.”
Gibbs’ grandfather, Joe Gibbs, is the owner of Joe Gibbs Racing – and a three-time Super-Bowl-winning coach. He says he’s honored and proud to recognize CPT Byers and others: “What we really hope to do is to use this opportunity to not only share their name, but really their story and the impact they made on behalf of our country and for all of us, as Americans.”
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