Fallen Local Soldier Rides with Dale Jr. in Today’s World 600

Ron Lemasters | JR Motorsports | 5/28/2017

Charlotte Dale Jr. News

The name of Private First Class James McClamrock, a Huntersville, N.C. native, will be displayed on the windshield tape of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Nationwide Chevrolet today when the World 600 gets the green flag.

CONCORD, N.C. (May 28, 2017) – The name of Private First Class James McClamrock, a Huntersville, N.C. native, will be displayed on the windshield tape of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Nationwide Chevrolet today when the World 600 gets the green flag.

McClamrock, who worked as a baggage screener for the Transportation Safety Administration at Charlotte Douglas Airport, joined the Army in 2009 and was serving in Iraq in September 2010 when he and another Army private were gunned down by an Iraqi soldier. He was 22 years old.

NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance program, which places the name of fallen soldiers on the windshield tape for the Memorial Day race, is responsible for the honor, but longtime Earnhardt family sponsor and partner Nationwide as well as the Earnhardt family and Hendrick Motorsports, have gone a ways beyond to make an impact on the local family.

To honor his sacrifice, Nationwide, Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Jr. are hosting PFC McClamrock’s family and treating them to a VIP experience over the weekend, including a meet-and-greet with Dale, garage tours, and an opportunity to watch the race from the 88 pit box.

Earnhardt Jr. spoke of what an honor it is to have PFC McClamrock’s name riding with him in NASCAR’s longest race.

 “It’s a real honor to have him on the car,” Earnhardt Jr. said during a media session at CMS. “He is from Huntersville and it’s real meaningful for all the drivers and the teams. We get to meet the family of the individual and represent that person and their family throughout the race and the race weekend.  It is just a great opportunity, I think, to get to know one of these guys. 

“We often thank the troops and send them messages and celebrate the military in many different ways, but it’s rare when you really select an individual that you focus on. It’s a great program that I think we have unique to our sport and something I really enjoy seeing unfold throughout the weekend.  So, we will meet the family here this weekend. It will be pretty exciting to talk to them and hopefully, I mean, all the drivers take a little bit of a responsibility to try to win the race and take that name to Victory Lane.  That is a little added pressure in a good way.”

McClamrock’s widow, Shannah, and his parents remember him every day, but this year the entire nation will be able to do it with them.

“When Nationwide called us and told us that James had been selected for the #88 car, our hearts overflowed with joy,” said James’ mother Susan. “As a grieving family, one of our greatest fears is that our son, a fallen soldier, will be forgotten at some point.  So we were just thrilled when they informed us that James would be honored and remembered by Dale Earnhardt Jr”.

McClamrock’s name on the windshield is integrated into a patriotic paint scheme that has become a tradition for drivers on Memorial Day weekend. The 57th annual NASCAR: An American Salute initiative kicks off on Memorial Day weekend and runs for seven weeks, wrapping up on the Fourth of July. It is both a solemn and celebratory tradition that allows NASCAR drivers, teams and fans to show their respect and reverence for the men and women who have lost their lives in duty, as well as for those who put their lives on the line daily to serve our country.

Nationwide’s Military Associate Resource Group found McClamrock’s name and story and thought including him in the 600 Miles of Remembrance program would be the perfect way to honor his service. The idea immediately found the support of both Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports.

The NASCAR initiative fits hand-in-glove with Nationwide’s long-standing tradition of supporting the U.S. military. The Nationwide MARG was created to connect Nationwide associates who previously served our country, and to raise awareness of and appreciation for military service in the community.

Nationwide also supports and honors the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA) and last year hired its 1,000th veteran in just four years.