Army racing to honor 9/11 casualties

By David M. FerroniSeptember 1, 2011

Newman drives U.S. Army Chevrolet onto pit road
Ryan Newman drives the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet back onto pit road after pitting during the first Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying race for the 2011 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Newman finished 10th in the race after spinning out... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. (Army News Service, Aug. 30, 2011) -- As the nation observes the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Army announced that both its NHRA and NASCAR teams will honor the Army victims of the Pentagon attack with special paint schemes at upcoming races.

At this weekend's Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis (Sept. 2-5), Tony Schumacher's U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster will carry the names of the 75 U.S. Army personnel killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

One week later, on Sept. 10, Stewart-Haas Racing driver Ryan Newman also will carry the names of the 75 U.S. Army Pentagon victims on his No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet in the Wonderful Pistachios 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Overall there were 125 victims in the Pentagon who were killed in the Sept. 11 attack. However, the Army racing team will be focusing on the Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians who lost their lives that day.

In addition to the listing of the names, both race cars will carry an inscription "We Will Never Forget" and sport a specially-designed logo featuring the World Trade Center twin towers, Pentagon and the American Flag.

"It will be a moving experience when we unveil the race car in Indy," said Schumacher, a seven-time world champion. "Many years later, all of us still remember that horrible day which affected so many innocent people, including those at the Pentagon. Our hearts and prayers clearly remain with the families of the victims. We will never, ever forget that terrible tragedy."

Winless thus far this season, Schumacher would love to be able to dedicate a victory and trophy to the victims' families on Labor Day.

"I couldn't think of a better time to get our first win of the year," said the Chicago-area resident. "As always, we will definitely be Army Strong on race day and give it our usual 150 percent effort."

Like Schumacher, Newman is expecting to be deeply moved by the first appearance of his Richmond race car.

"There's no question it will be an emotional time for not only my team, but the entire NASCAR family," said Newman, a 15-time Sprint Cup winner. "We all remember where we were and what we were doing when the news surfaced about the attacks. I know it will be etched in my memory forever. And, it should be that way for everyone.

"We want to win every race for the Army, but you can imagine how much more we'll want to win the Richmond event. It would be a very special, touching moment if we could drive into victory lane carrying the names of those great Americans."

U.S. Army personnel killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 Attack on the Pentagon:

Spc. Craig S. Amundson

Retired Master Sgt. Max J. Beilke

Col. Canfield D. Boone

Donna M. Bowen

Sgt. 1st Class Jose O. Calderon-Olmedo

Angelene C. Carter

Sharon A. Carver

Retired Sgt. 1st Class John J. Chada

Ada M. Davis

Lt. Col. Jerry D. Dickerson

Amelia V. Fields

Gerald P. Fisher

Cortez Ghee

Brenda C. Gibson

Retired Col. Ronald F. Golinski

Diane Hale-McKinzy

Carolyn B. Halmon

Sheila M.S. Hein

Maj. Wallace Cole Hogan Jr.

Retired Staff Sgt. Jimmie I. Holley

Peggie M. Hurt

Lt. Col. Stephen Neil Hyland Jr.

Sgt. Maj. Lacey B. Ivory

Lt. Col. Dennis M. Johnson

Brenda Kegler

David W. Laychak

Samantha L. Lightbourn-Allen

Maj. Stephen V. Long

Terence M. Lynch

Teresa M. Martin

Ada L. Mason-Acker

Lt. Col. Dean E. Mattson

Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Maude

Robert J. Maxwell

Molly L. McKenzie

Maj. Ronald D. Milam

Odessa V. Morris

Teddington H. Moy

Diana B. Padro

Maj. Clifford L. Patterson Jr.

Scott Powell

Deborah A. Ramsaur

Rhonda S. Rasmussen

Martha M. Reszke

Cecelia E. Richard

Edward V. Rowenhorst

Judy Rowlett

Robert E. Russell

Chief Warrant Officer 4 William R. Ruth

Marjorie C. Salamone

Col. David M Scales

Janice M. Scott

Michael L. Selves

Marian H. Serva

Antionette M. Sherman

Donald D. Simmons

Cheryle D. Sincock

Gary F. Smith

Patricia J. Statz

Edna L. Stephens

Sgt. Maj. Larry L. Strickland

Lt. Col. Kip P. Taylor

Sandra C. Taylor

Sgt. Tamara C. Thurman

Willie Q. Troy

Lt. Col. Karen J. Wagner

Meta L. Waller

Spc. Chin Sun Pak Wells

Staff Sgt. Maudlyn A. White

Sandra L. White

Ernest M. Willcher

Maj. Dwayne Williams

Edmond G. Young Jr.

Lisa L. Young

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