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Four of five North Carolina National Guard trucks drive around the track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11, 2014 each carrying service members from a different branch: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The truck parade passed i...
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Soldiers hold flags and wave to the crowd at the Charlotte Motor Speedway prior to the start of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR race, Oct. 11, 2014. Five trucks were provided by and driven by North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and carried service ...
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Four North Carolina National Guard Apache Helicopters fly over the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11, 2014. The team from the 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion performed the fly-over as part of the pre-race festivities leading up to the Band ...
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Sgt. 1st Class William McDowell warms up while standing on pit row at the Charlotte Motor Speedway prior to performing at the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Race with the North Carolina National Guard's 440th Army Band, Oct. 11, 2014. The 440th Army Band...
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Pfc. Kemarie Belton, a supply technician with the North Carolina National Guard's B Battery, 1-113th Field Artillery Regiment, looks through a woman's bag before she enters the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America 500 NASCAR race on Oct. ...
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Soldiers with the North Carolina National Guard participated in several pre-race activities at the Charlotte Motor Speedway prior to the start of this year's Bank of America 500 NASCAR race, Oct. 11, 2014.
North Carolina Guardsmen drove vehicles as part of the parade of services around the track, the 440th Army Band performed God Bless America and four North Carolina Apaches performed a fly-over prior to the start of the race.
In addition to the ceremonial duties, other Guardsmen helped search bags at the gates and assisted race fans find their seats in the grandstand.
"It was my first race and first time being there," said Master Sgt. Chastity King with headquarters and Headquarters Company, 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. "It was great meeting people from all over the US and from overseas. The people were so supportive of the military. It made you feel so good. We got our pictures taken, we got hugs and kissed."
All of the Soldiers who participated stayed and watched the race.
"It was such a adrenaline rush hearing the cars crank up and go around that truck and hearing the crowd go wild," King said. "I'm glad it got the opportunity to go and experience it."
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