Four of Tony Stewart Racing’s crew members took the spotlight Saturday in honor of Veterans Day at the In-N-Out Burger Finals at Pomona, Calif. Those veterans – Thomas Brown, Kurt Johnson, Allen Oberbroeckling and Chris Shuron – perform unique positions within the Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel and Funny Car teams.

Brown, who oversees body and tire preparation on Hagan’s Funny Car, was a sergeant and squad leader in the Army. Johnson, TSR’s track specialist, spent six years as a United States Marine Aircraft Fire Fighter during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Oberbroeckling, a member of TSR’s hospitality team, was an 88M Motor Transport Operator in the Army. Shuron, a clutch assistant who handles tire preparation on Pruett’s Top Fuel dragster, served in the Marines as a lance corporal.

Pruett said that this weekend she’ll be thanking “as many veterans I see in person as often as I can, because we couldn’t be living free without them. For our veteran crew members, I don’t think there is a bigger gratitude of thanks than to give it all we’ve got on-track and to hand them the Wally at the end of the day.” 

That was just part of the various ways the Camping World Drag Racing community honored veterans Saturday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. 

Justin Ashley and his Phillips Connect / Toyota Top Fuel team have supported veterans through the Wyakin Foundation, whose mission is to connect wounded veterans to their post-military careers through academic and job planning, leadership development, strategic networking support, and project-management experiences. In this third year of partnership with the Wyakin Foundation, Ashley already has donated $2,500 to the group, but he will be hosting three veterans. 

Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient George Nickel, Army combat veteran (with a tour of duty in Iraq) Brandon B., and retired Navy veteran Patrick S. joined Ashley’s team on the starting line during the third overall qualifying session Saturday and go an up-close look at what Ashley and the team do to prepare for competition.  

Nickel has effected change in how Idaho law enforcement engages with distressed veterans. He is the Wyakin Foundation’s Director of Veteran Programs and has helped more than 160 veterans during the past 12 years. Brandon B. is in the Wyakin trades program and is on pace to get his degree as a machinist. So is Patrick S., who deployed to the Gulf during the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns also is pursuing his machinist certification. 

“This is one of the most powerful opportunities I have as part of my relationship with Phillips Connect,” Ashley said. “Bringing awareness to the Wyakin Foundation and getting to meet and spend time with veterans is so important. Helping in a small way to get these men and women back into society and supporting their education and professional goals is truly an honor. They have sacrificed so much for our freedoms and although we can never fully repay them, I hope this serves as a small token of our gratitude.” 

Longtime part-time Top Fuel driver Ron August Jr. entered the weekend with new livery on his dragster to honor veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It features  signage of Clovis Veterans Memorial District in an effort to remember those who fought for our freedom. 

“I am grateful for the Ron August Racing team supporting our Veterans and wish him and the team the best,” Lorenzo Rios, CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, said. “This weekend, it is appropriate that we take a moment to recognize how blessed our country is to have Americans who freely volunteer to stand up and accept the tremendous responsibility to uphold and defend our American way of life against all enemies, both foreign and domestic, through their oath of service to the Constitution of the United States.”  

August said, “I consider myself very lucky to be able to race with my family, and it’s important to remember those who fought for our freedom. The opportunity to show our gratitude while racing on Veteran’s Day is a great honor. I appreciate Clovis Veterans Memorial District for working with us to present this to NHRA fans."