By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
As the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season comes to a close, over 3,500 United States military veterans have attended a race thanks to Kurt Busch.
As part of his partnership with the Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), 100 veterans have been able to enjoy a race weekend in person. The number of requests were huge for the Daytona 500, shortly after the partnership was announced.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver admitted that he hadn’t thought about the fact that he’s sent 3,500 veterans to the track.
“I haven’t realized that number. I knew we had a huge request for the Daytona 500. I feel like I’m just making a small difference and I wish I could do more.”
In addition to the 3,500 veterans that the driver of the No. 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 have sent to the track, others have stepped up. Chevrolet donated 50 hot passes for the Coke Zero 400, Watkins Glen International matched Busch’s donation, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway gave race fans the option to donate tickets.
In total, a minimum of 3,650 veterans have been able to experience a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race in person this season.
Prior to the start of the season, Busch expressed his hope that the military service veterans and their families would enjoy the races.
“I am appreciative of the sacrifice and commitment of our military service members and families. Family is what NASCAR is all about and I hope this experience at the track will be an enjoyable and fun filled event!”
Since then, the military veterans that have received tickets have often found ways to achieve more access at the tracks. Some have bought pit passes, suite passes, and some have even earned hot passes. Some of the veterans that received tickets bought more for their families.
The vast majority of the veterans enjoyed their race experiences. With the increased access that some veterans have achieved they have been able to get up close and personal with the drivers, teams, and racecars.
“It’s awesome,” Busch explained. “It’s been fun to give the tickets away and then it’s like a gift that keeps giving. Yeah, they’re able to come to the track and work on suite passes or pit passes. And it’s neat to see the pictures and the high fives at the track.”
Not only has the 2017 Daytona 500 Champion met with the veterans, but other drivers have as well. Busch’s competition have often stopped him to thank him for sending some of their fans to the race track.
Each military veteran has had a unique experience. Some were able to watch Busch win at Kentucky Speedway in person. Others have watched either their own driver achieve victory, or in some cases, see them swept up in an incident.
Busch eagerly expressed how the veterans come up to other drivers and himself.
“They come up to you at the track, people (reach out) on social media. Then different drivers have come up to me and said, ‘wow, you know, your program is doing well because a fan of mine came on your behalf,’ and it’s neat to see where it’s not just a Kurt Busch fan there. They’re fans of the sport and we’re trying to get butts in seats.”
In total, 50,000 requests for tickets were made by veterans. The huge volume of requests is a testament to the work that Busch and VetTix have done to thank those that gave some in service to the United States.
Busch and VetTix are currently working on a deal for the 2020 season.
Although Busch had not realized how many veterans and their families that he had helped send to NASCAR races, he is amazed to see how much of a success his partnership with VetTix has become.
“It’s been amazing to have that program develop into what it’s turned into. There’s no reason to stop it. We had 50,000 requests this year for tickets to all of our NASCAR races. We’re going to have to figure out how to make it bigger and better.
“It’s a matter of making it work for all parties involved. The amount of commitment on my part is no problem, it’s just a matter of making it all work financially.”
In addition to their partnership with Busch to send veterans to NASCAR races, VetTix helps veterans receive tickets to over 1,000 other events.
Congrats Kurt I for one am very grateful for what you are doing for our veterans. It’s been my pleasure to watch you mature and make such an amazing impact on your sport. I’m cheering for you now and I will be cheering for you when you celebrate your next championship because I know you’re going to win another one. Way to go Kurt Busch #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet!
Congrats Kurt I for one am very great full for what you are doing for our veterans. It has been my pleasure to watch you mature and make such an amazing impact on our sport. I’m cheering for you now and I will be cheering for you when you celebrate your next championship because I know you’re going to win another one. Way to go Kurt Busch #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet.