Keselowski and Logano visit troops at Guantanamo Bay

   
This week Penske Racing's Brad Keselowski and Joe Gibbs Racing's Joey Logano represented NASCAR in association with the USO by visiting service members at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. According to the NASCAR press release, the visit was “part of an ongoing partnership between NASCAR and the USO to strengthen a connection between the military and motorsports in an effort to help boost the morale of U.S. troops and their families."

NASCAR President Mike Helton said, “NASCAR is honored to work with the USO and be a part of bringing this tour to our men and women in Guantanamo Bay. We hope this tour has lifted the spirits of troops and their families; we are honored to have the opportunity to show our support and show how much our troops mean to NASCAR and its millions of fans around the world.”    

On their first USO trip, the two young drivers signed hundreds of autographs, ate with the troops, and visited with sailors, coast guardsmen and their families. They also got to patrol the waters of Guantanamo Bay with service members.

“This was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad to be a part of it,” said Keselowski. “I hope to go back on another USO Tour. After meeting the men and women in Guantanamo Bay, I cannot imagine the sacrifices and experiences they have to go through during their time there. It was an amazing experience and I am so grateful that I was invited to go.

If you'll remember, Keselowski had one of the most memorable quotes of the year after winning the Good Sam RV Insurance 500 at Pocono Speedway with a broken ankle. He brushed off comments about his feat and paid tribute to soldiers who had been killed in action that week. “I’m no hero. The heroes are the guys that died in Afghanistan this weekend and I want to spend time thinking about them. They were my inspiration for this weekend and the things that those guys do. I’m glad that we could win today, but those are the heroes. I just drive race cars for a living.” 


Keselowski also has a 501(c)(3) organization called the Checkered Flag Foundation that assists military veterans and first-responders and their families.

“It was awesome to learn more about Guantanamo Bay and what the mission is down there and how it works,” said Logano. “It was great to meet and talk to the troops, and it was one heck of an experience. We get to see a lot of troops at the race track, but to see them in action and doing their jobs…I am so impressed and have such a high amount of respect for each and every one of them and what they do.”

Obviously the drivers were well-received by the troops and their families.  "NASCAR and its drivers bring excitement to the track week after week and we are honored to have two of NASCAR's biggest names join us on a USO tour,” said USO President Sloan Gibson. “I can't think of a better, more suitable place for this tour to bring a touch of home than to NASCAR fans stationed in Guantanamo Bay.

To lend your support to the USO, visit USO.org and make a donation.