By Jerry Jordan, Editor
Ford is turning Veterans Day into a NASCAR race night at Daytona International Speedway, and it is bringing some of its biggest names along.
Dubbed the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, the inaugural event is set for Wednesday, Nov. 11, and will put 12 Ford Racing drivers in Mustang Dark Horse Rs on the 12-turn, 3.6-mile Daytona road course, with six two-driver teams each racing in honor of one branch of the U.S. military and every car wearing a livery inspired by that branch’s hardware.
“For more than a century, Ford has stood alongside the people who serve our country and the families who support them,” said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company. “The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic brings together racing, music and service to create a joyful new Veterans Day tradition that honors the entire military community.”
The event is something that Ford and the company hope will become a Veterans Day tradition.
Six Teams, Six Branches
The exclusive race will see the field run a 15-minute qualifying session ahead of a 30-minute race, with each driver in their own car – 12 Mustangs in all – with paint schemes matching the six branches of the U.S. Military. The car is part of the equalizer: Ford picked the Dark Horse R because it levels the field, they said.
U.S. Army: Brad Keselowski and Joey Hand, in a livery inspired by the Abrams tank.
U.S. Marine Corps: Ryan Blaney and Ben Hobson, in a livery inspired by the Assault Amphibious Vehicle.
U.S. Navy: Ryan Preece and Logan Sargeant, in a livery inspired by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.
U.S. Air Force: Austin Cindric and Frankie Muniz, in a livery inspired by the F-22 Raptor.
U.S. Space Force: Noah Gragson and Layne Riggs, in a livery inspired by the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle.
U.S. Coast Guard: Joey Logano and Ty Majeski, in a livery inspired by the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter.
For several drivers, the honor is personal. Hand’s father served 20 years in the Army National Reserve, Sargeant’s grandfather served 30 years in the Navy and Muniz’s father served in both the Navy and Air Force.
Zac Brown Band Headlines the Show
The race is only half the show as the Zac Brown Band headlines a musical lineup that also features Russell Dickerson, Jo Dee Messina, Brittney Spencer and Warren Zeiders. The concert will also host appearances by Bryan Cranston and Adam Scherr, also known as the WWE icon Braun Strowman.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Ford for bringing us together for the Veterans Day Classic, combining the excitement of racing and live music with honoring the brave men and women who have served our country,” Brown said. “I can’t wait to take the stage and be part of such a special day that will not only celebrate our heroes but also support Camp Southern Ground and other nonprofits dedicated to serving veterans and their families.”
Brown is also serving as an executive producer on the show and said the event will also support his work with Camp Southern Ground, one of six nonprofits the event benefits.
Ford developed the Classic with NASCAR, IMSA, HSR and Blue Star Families, and the money follows the mission. The event benefits Blue Star Families, Camp Southern Ground, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Team Rubicon, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and The Travis Manion Foundation.
Every dollar donated to the new Proud to Honor Fund goes directly to the six partners and half of the ticket proceeds benefit Blue Star Families. Additionally, Ford Philanthropy is providing 1,000 complimentary tickets to eligible military and veteran families.
Caroline Morales, Ford’s director of stakeholder advocacy communications, said on Tuesday’s media call that the company hopes the Classic becomes an annual fixture and, “We are hopeful that it will become an annual event. We’re working with NASCAR about how it can come to life in future years.”
The Classic airs live from 8 to 10 p.m. ET on USA Network and streams live on Fandango’s free streaming platform, with the entertainment segments also airing on E! and streaming on TikTok LIVE. Tickets are on sale now at fordveteransdayclassic.com, starting at $110 for general admission and $305 for the VIP experience, with a 20 percent discount for veterans verified through GovX and Ticketmaster waiving fees for everyone.