Racing in the ARCA Menards Series is an enjoyable activity for the #73 KLAS Motorsports team and driver Andy Jankowiak. They enjoy and appreciate the support from the fans at the track, the fans who watch on television and the fans who follow along with the team on social media.
As the ARCA Menards Series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway this week, the team and the driver would like to shift that support and focus elsewhere. This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and it’s time to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America – along with their families and fellow troops who mourn their loss.
For the General Tire 150 at Charlotte, the team will feature the K.I.A. Memorial Roadmarch on the #73 car. This event was started by United States Army Sergent Major Jason Jaskula to memorialize his fallen friend Christopher Dill.
Dill was a Staff Sergent in the Army Reserves and a firefighter in Buffalo, New York. He was killed in combat on April 4, 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After Dill’s death, Jaskula discovered that those killed in action had no regular public event in Western New York to honor those killed in action. In November, 2012, Jaskula walked 22 kilometers while carrying 22 pounds of rocks in a rucksack. Each rock displayed the name of a Western New York service member who had been killed in action while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. That led to the creation of the K.I.A. Memorial Roadmarch.
Adam Brown served as a First Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp. He now, along with his son Kyle, works as a crew member on the #73 KLAS Motorsports team.
“This means a lot to me,” said Brown. “I am honored to be a small piece of this amazing team. The opportunity to bring nationwide awareness to the K.I.A. Roadmarch is huge for me. Anytime that we are able to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, especially our Heroes from NY who died while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, it’s an incredible experience. Having fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I understand how much losing a brother while in combat can affect the rest of someone’s life. I believe we begin to heal by honoring and remembering their sacrifice for us and this country.”
This year’s K.I.A. Memorial Roadmarch takes place on August 16th at Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, New York.
Acadia Energy and Whelen will be the primary sponsors of the #73 Charlotte Motor Speedway. DaK’s Markets, Automotive Consultants of Ithaca, Florida Safety Systems, Yukon Creek Sportsman Club and Rotti Transport of Buffalo, NY are all among the marketing partners for the event.
The ARCA Menards Series General Tire 150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for 6pm ET on Friday, May 23rd. It will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 and on the Fox Sports App.
Story by: Mike Twist