Another year, another Brickyard 400. For Crown Royal‘s annual, “Your Hero’s Name Here” program, Crown Royal picks a deserving hero as the namesake for the NASCAR race.
This year, U.S. Navy SEAL Jason Redman was chosen, and instead of using his name for the race he asked NASCAR and Crown Royal if he could use the charity him and his wife, Erica, founded – ‘Combat Wounded Coalition‘. The official race title for the 2016 Brickyard 400 is Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard.
“What an amazing and humbling opportunity to have my organization as the official title of the Brickyard 400. This race is an icon of NASCAR, Americanism and patriotism,” said Redman after being named the winner of the 2016 “Your Hero’s Name Here” program. “I can’t wait to arrive in Indianapolis and meet the fellow finalists, the awesome race fans, drivers and crews!”
About This Year’s Hero
Redman enlisted in the Navy after high school where he served 11 years as an enlisted SEAL before enrolling at Old Dominion University. After graduation, he returned to duty as a Navy SEAL Officer and served ten more years.
In 2007, Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy fire and he was left with shots to the face and arm. Redman received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medals and two Combat Action Ribbons.
Over 35 surgeries later, Redman recovered and founded the non-profit organization Combat Wounded Coalition and Wounded Wear with the mission to help combat wounded warriors overcome the wounds of war. The organization provides free clothing, clothing modifications, and connections to other vetted service organizations for combat wounded warrior needs. Since its inception, CWC has helped over 500 wounded warriors return to daily life after serving their country.
In addition to Redman, program finalists included: Piper Hill, retired Army Captain and founder of Healing4Heroes from Atlanta, Ga.; Michael Gallardo, retired Army Sergeant from San Antonio, Texas; Chris Mintz, former Army Infantryman and community leader from Roseburg, Ore. and Leigh Ann Hester, Army National Guard Sergeant First Class and Police Officer from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Let’s raise a glass of Crown Royal to Jason Redman and all of the other warriors serving or that have served our country. Keep an eye out for the Brickyard 400’s new name when you tune into watch the NASCAR race on July 24, 2016.
